NICC demonstrates importance of STEM education at April 12 festival for families
Youth and families experience STEM ... Area youth and their families were introduced to the world of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) in hands-on fashion during the April 12 Family STEM Festival hosted at Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) in Calmar. Nearly 450 youth and family members (some of whom are pictured above and below) attended the event, which emphasized the importance of STEM education and offered insight and hands-on working demonstrations regarding careers in STEM. Submitted photos.
If enthusiasm for science and technology is any indication, educators should not be too concerned about young students’ interest in STEM activities and career fields. Nearly 450 children and family members from across northeast Iowa attended the April 12 Northeast Iowa Family STEM Festival held at the Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Calmar campus.
Twenty-five community organizations, colleges and businesses served as exhibitors and offered children hands-on, working demonstration STEM exhibits to introduce the next generation of thinkers to STEM and high-demand career fields. The NICC Calmar campus hosted the event through a partnership with the Northeast Region of the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council.
The goals of the festival are to promote, inspire and engage youth in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) activities and to introduce children and parents to STEM careers in their local communities, according to Kathy Donovan, NICC Business and Community Solutions program manager.
“It is always so enjoyable seeing this event come full circle; from all the coordination efforts by the committee members, right up until seeing the first excited children’s faces come bursting through the door. It is very rewarding to see so many exhibitors offer up their time to promote this opportunity for our children to become involved in STEM activities and career related fields,” Donovan expressed.
Organizations presented exhibits and hands-on activities for students, pre-K through 12th grade and their families. Attendees drove robots, traveled a solar system in the digital planetarium, conducted amazing science experiments and much more. In addition, the festival showcased STEM programs in local schools and offered interactive specialty shows throughout the evening.
Regional STEM Hub Manager Jeff Beneke offered his gratitude to the College, saying, “Thank you to the entire planning committee and to Northeast Iowa Community College for being such a fabulous host. An event like this is not possible without the dedication and passion from a great planning committee.”
The Northeast Iowa Family STEM Festival is a community-wide partnership led by the Northeast Region of the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council at the University of Northern Iowa with Northeast Iowa Community College, IowaWORKS, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, ITC Fortis Inc., Keystone AEA, Luther College, Northeast Iowa Business Network, Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission and Winneshiek County Development, Inc.
For a full listing of hands-on STEM activities, photos and videos, visit https://neiowastem.com/northeast-iowa-family-stem-festival-calmar.
