STEMFest 2018

Each year, families gather at STEMFest to see the culminating projects of Lowell's STEM curriculum throughout the grades. STEM projects engage students in the design thinking process by integrating science, technology, engineering, and math disciplines. Not only do students define a problem, develop prototypes, and test hypothesis, but they also build empathy as they set aside their own assumptions and gain perspective by seeing a problem from a different vantage point. Students and faculty join together at STEMFest to celebrate months of this hard work and provide hands-on learning experiences designed to entice the imagination.

New projects on display this year included the 1st grade bug habitat station and the Kindergarteners' Monarch Butterfly table where participants could take milkweed seeds home to plant in their gardens. Old favorites such as the 5th grade VEX robot and 6th grade CO2 Car stations captured the hearts of many, even adults!

Incorporating student voice into the event, Middle School Science Teacher Becky Prochilo provided the opportunity for middle school students to design STEM tables with projects reflective of their interests. "I think it’s appropriate for students to come up with displays to show how they work with STEM concepts in their own lives," says Becky. Four students, 7th graders Ava Gorman and Arielle Edberg, and 8th graders Leo Fraize and Flynn McGrath seized the opportunity. Building from his Project of Discovery (POD) project, Leo set up a table to demonstrate how servo, drive, and direct current motors work. "I thought it would represent well who I am," he said. Students waited in long lines at Ava's sensory bottle station. These bottles, filled with various materials and liquids, demonstrate simple chemistry principles and are meant to spark a child's imagination and wonder. Arielle shared her love of photography by teaching people how to use Photoshop, while Flynn expanded his knowledge of chemistry and demonstrated how chemical batteries work.

Undoubtedly, the design thinking process enables students to develop a deeper understanding of the world around them. STEMFest not only offers participants hands-on learning experiences but for many can open the door for a lifetime of innovation.