About 200 children participated in engaging science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) activities at the STEM-A-THON event hosted by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana on Monday. The event took place at Urschel Pavilion and Central Park Plaza in downtown Valparaiso, bringing together club members from Lake and Porter counties for a day full of interactive learning.
Experiencing STEM in Action
Participants enjoyed a variety of activities, from flight simulators and robotics to swinging cups of water over their heads and shooting balls into the air. Leonard, a 17-year-old member, expressed his enthusiasm while posing for photos at the Best Buy booth, stating, “I felt like I was on top of the world.” He shared his interest in creating play-along videos on YouTube, having produced a one-hour video six months prior.
Twelve-year-old Lincoln experimented with a handheld magnification device, adjusting it until the images were in sharp focus. Meanwhile, seven-year-old Austin gained perspective on the challenges astronauts face, using leather gloves to manipulate screws as space explorers do in zero gravity. Jean-Michel Sicaud from Boeing assisted the kids, amusingly observing their exploration of astronaut tasks, such as threading nuts onto bolts while wearing clumsy gloves.
Innovative and Educational Fun
The event also featured Air Toobz, where participants like 10-year-old Laylah used an air compressor to propel balls through connected plastic tubes. Adults played fetch with the balls as they flew out of the tubes. Laylah remarked on her enjoyment, suggesting that her mother should buy the Air Toobz. Eleven-year-old Leniyah joined in, appreciating how the machine’s adjustable pressure added excitement to the experience.
Marcus Steele, Family and Youth Service Coordinator for the city of Gary, shared his thoughts during the event. A former Club Youth of the Year, Steele highlighted the significance of these gatherings in providing an educational yet relaxed environment for learning. He emphasized the growth of the event each year and the unique experience it offers by uniting all the clubs.
Dedicated Leaders and Their Impact
Mike Jessen, President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana, noted the importance of bringing together clubs from different regions, fostering a sense of community among participants. He enjoyed interacting with the children, feeling satisfied when watching them engage in activities like building a Jenga tower.
Former club member Jake Klotz, now associated with Blockhead Beerworks, reflected on the changes the Valparaiso site underwent, transforming into the recently opened Grand Gardner Hotel. Helping with the event, he managed logistics, making sure the children were fed during the day.
Another educational session led by Karla Conrad from the PALS young professionals group taught children about centrifugal force. Using a glass of water, cardboard, and ropes, Conrad demonstrated how objects maintain liquid when swung in a circular motion.
The event’s emphasis on interactive learning made the world of science and technology accessible and entertaining for the children. This hands-on approach provided valuable exposure, sparking curiosity and potential interest in STEM fields.