September 15, 2022 – Over 400 third graders participated in the fun and learning at Collinsville CUSD 10 Third Grade STEM Day at Collinsville High School. The annual event is coordinated by the district’s Science Vertical Team and hosted by the CHS STEM Club.
Participants rotated through stations that offered hands-on experiences demonstrating Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) concepts. The Science Vertical Team is composed of teachers representing all grade levels in the district from elementary through high school. Careful consideration is given to creating experiments and learning opportunities that are engaging and enlightening for the third graders.
Thirty-five CHS students from the STEM Club and Leadership Class volunteered for the event. STEM Club members ran each station and Leadership students served as escorts for the classes as they traveled throughout the CHS auditorium, atrium and auxiliary gym. Elementary schools were split into two groups to attend either a morning or afternoon session.
Community partners representing Southwestern Illinois College (SWIC); SIUE Center for STEM Research, Education and Outreach; McKendree University; Army Corps of Engineers; Collinsville Area Vocational Center; Willoughby Heritage Farm; and Collinsville Memorial Public Library also provided staff and materials for special activities.
Each third grade teacher left the event with a “ready to go design and engineering project” to compete back in their classroom. This year’s project, Marshmallow Blaster, involves construction of a simple machine that uses marshmallows to demonstrate the concept of forces.
Click the image below to view some photos of 2022 Third Grade STEM Day:
