Science is COOL.

STEM is all the rage. If this term is new to you, it stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. And newer to the team is the letter A (Art), to make it STEAM. It’s been proven that kids who engage in STEAM activities are better problem solvers, critical thinkers, more creative, have better self-esteem, and it gives them a head start in a world that is becoming more reliant and driven by these principles.

The Fort Calhoun Community Schools Foundation was able to sponsor an incredible program for many Elementary students this fall. Giovanni Infante, a parent of two elementary students, brought this opportunity to the Foundation through his involvement in the Nebraska Tech Collaborative. The Foundation worked with Code Ninjas and the school administration to provide the first ever after-school Applied Sciences Program. The response was incredible- over 130 students registered for the available 60 slots. Students in 1st through 3rd grade had different projects than the 4th through 6th grade students so that projects were age-appropriate yet challenging. Students participated in two one-hour sessions each week for fifteen weeks.

Students typically worked on coding and robotic projects one day each week, and STEAM projects during the other day. Each project had a learning component and problem solving component that participants would then have to build or create a solution for. The projects involved one or more of the STEAM principles, and were always fun and educational. Participants enjoyed working independently and collaborating with other kids, and were very engaged and inspired by the various projects. Students got to make rockets, marble runs, toothpaste, animal habitats, coded robots to move in different ways (and even play music!), and many other cool projects.

The Foundation is very excited to have raised enough money to provide a second session in the Spring for students. Fort Calhoun Elementary students are some of the first in the state to have this amazing program available, and the Foundation is able to provide it to them at no cost through generous sponsorship and fundraising. The plan is for this to be an ongoing program for years to come! Watch out world- we’re creating lots of little scientists in Fort Calhoun!