The CUSD 10 Science Vertical Team hosted the First Annual STEM Day at Collinsville High School for all district 3rd graders on Thursday, September 21, 2017.
Third grade classes were greeted by a CHS student guide who escorted them through various STEM stations. Most stations involved hands-on experimentation. Stations included: Pinewood Derby Challenge, Laser Maze, Treehouse Wildlife Center, Water Rocket Launch, Willoughby Farms Energy Bike, Design Boat Challenge, Robot Ramble, Adaptation Station, Wind Turbine Challenge, What Would Worms Do?, Solar Car Race, and Classifications.
There were exhibits about optical illusions, a 3D-Printer, a decoding challenge, a Van De Graff generator and Cartesian Divers. Third graders also got to see real-life science in action as they toured the Collinsville Area Vocational Center at CHS. They learned about the concepts behind automobiles, electricity, robotics, welding, building trades and precision machining. McKendree University provided microscopes and STEM college students to help the third graders learn how to use them.
CHS STEM students served as mentors at each of the stations walking the third graders through the lessons and experiments. Third grade classes attended either the morning or afternoon two-hour session.
The Science Vertical Team is comprised of science teachers representing all grade levels in the district. STEM Day was a result of their collaborative work to bridge science curriculum between age groups. Science staff who help orchestrate STEM Day were Jamie Barger (CMS) , Krista Basuel (Kreitner), Susanna Benson (Webster), Jill Carter (CMS), Tom Withee (CHS), Pat Szpila (CHS), Stephanie Schweppe (CHS), Chris Comrie (DIS), Matt Blunt (CMS), Jason Watts (DIS) and Sean Hay (CHS).
To view photos from the day CLICK HERE.
