Bridges, birds among STEAMFest highlights
Event features sciences, art
-Submitted photo <br> Luke Hugghins from McClure Engineering Co. works with a few attendees to build a bridge during the Iowa Central STEAMFest held in November at the Career Education Building. McClure was among 25 different exhibitors at the event.
-Submitted photo <br> Attendees work to mix up a smoothie using a bicycle-powered blender at the Iowa Central STEAMFest. More than 250 people turned out for the event.
-Submitted photo <br> Luke Hugghins from McClure Engineering Co. works with a few attendees to build a bridge during the Iowa Central STEAMFest held in November at the Career Education Building. McClure was among 25 different exhibitors at the event.
-Submitted photo <br> Attendees work to mix up a smoothie using a bicycle-powered blender at the Iowa Central STEAMFest. More than 250 people turned out for the event.
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Iowa Central Community College hosted the sixth annual STEAMFest at the Career Education Building recently.
The event was offered in conjunction with the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council and was open to students and families in kindergarten through sixth grade.
The hands-on event's goal was to promote, inspire and engage youth in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) activities and to introduce them to possible career pathways within the community.
"We had a wonderful turnout of 254 people and 25 different exhibitors this year," said Maureen Haage, the North Central Iowa STEM region manager. "I was very impressed with the number of new attendees and hope our numbers continue to grow each year."
Those in attendance had the chance to drive robots, learn about birds from the Blank Park Zoo, explore the Iowa Corn trailer, make beeswax lip balm, try out virtual reality simulators and many other activities.
Attendees were also able to work with art instructors from Iowa Central and experiment with watercolor techniques and had a chance to use the Iowa Central Engineering and Design Technology Department's 3-D printer.
Prairie Lakes AEA brought a virtual reality career simulator which allowed the students to experience different careers "hands-on" through virtual reality goggles.
"The virtual reality program can simulate 32 different careers," said Torrey Proctor, a technology innovation consultant at Prairie Lakes AEA. "In a full 20-minute simulation, they're getting job assignments, they can read manuals and blueprints and communicate with a boss and co-workers."
Students were also offered bridge building simulations with McClure Engineering Co. They explored health care careers and learned about the effects of smoking and vaping on the respiratory system from UnityPoint Health.
"The purpose of STEM festivals, such as the ICCC STEAMFest, is to increase excitement and engagement with not only STEM, but STEM careers," said Haage. "That is why we rely heavily on the support of local businesses and community partners to bring hands-on, engaging STEM activities that relate to careers at those places."
Other activities included robotics with the Iowa Invention Scouts, cross flow filtration with CJ. Bio America, corn wet milling with Cargill, learning about insects and creating bug noisemakers with Webster County Conservation and making lip balm with beeswax with Ag in the Classroom. There was also an exhibit where students were able to power a blender by riding a bicycle.
The event was brought to Fort Dodge by Iowa Central, the Blanden Memorial Art Museum, the City of Fort Dodge, McClure Engineering Co. and the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council.
Approximately 40 STEM Festivals take place in all six STEM regions each year and typically engage more than 20,000 Iowans, collectively. Each festival is facilitated by regional STEM managers in coordination with each of their Regional STEM Advisory Boards, a committed planning committee and numerous volunteers.
Anyone looking for more information on the STEM events can visit www.ncstemhub.iastate.edu.
Next year's event at Iowa Central will be held Nov. 7. If anyone is interested in being an exhibitor, you can contact Haage at mhaage@iastate.edu.