Science Technology Engineering Arts Math aka
S.T.E.A.M.
Sunriser, Carolyn Anderson watches attentively as 24 Kindergarten students demonstrate their understanding of oceanic navigation ~ on a relevant scale.
They were among the 400 participants in the County Office of Education's STEAM Showcase last Thursday at the Fairgrounds.
Applying imagination and collaboration, the cohorts ranging in age from 4 to 17, and in groups to individuals. Everyone was challenged to complete the phrase "The Story of..."
Rather than a competition, the event was designed to develop integration of the STEAM elements and create a better understanding of process.
Participants projects were evaluated on their degree of applying STEAM and the effectiveness of their exhibit/demonstration. Evaluators from Sunrise, Carolyn Anderson and Rich Randolph interviewed participants then discussed each others assessment. Each criteria had a one-too-four place rating: Emerging, Approaching, Proficient or Distinguished.
Here a Windsor Junior High coed explains the process and consequences of Deforestation to Carolyn.
Other Evaluators included a retired Science Teacher and a a Medtronic Engineer. All were volunteers.
The finale group was a foursome from Calistoga High. Their story dealt with handling excess rain water runoff. They integrated all 5 STEAM elements to demonstrate via pumps and sensors how water could be moved to mitigate flooding and recover water for later use.
Every project possessed it's unique story and reflected the value of creativity, cooperation, and collaboration.
