Got a kid who loves to create, calculate or code? Perhaps there’s a budding biologist or a tenacious tinkerer in your house? Metro Parent’s new STEAM + Learning Fair is the place for them to be! This event launched in 2019.
A fresh spin on our popular Education Expo, this day of fun and education happened from noon till 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019 at the Troy Community Center in Troy. The event was packed with great educational resources – with the addition of programming just for kids ages 4-12 that was all about STEAM (that’s science, technology, engineering, arts and math). We also cranked up the STEAM entertainment. Here are some of the activities that were in store:
- Virtual Reality Zone: Embark on one of three different virtual reality experiences related to science and education
- Make Your Own Future City: Construct it with recycled materials with the Engineering Society of Detroit
- Astronaut Tools Challenge: Discover how astronauts tie knots in space and more with the Michigan Science Center
- Tree Frog Racer: Create your very own origami amphibian and race it with the help of Challenge Island
- Robots, Flyers and 3D Printing: Make “leap-bots,” fling flyers and more with the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan
- Science Spectacular Show: Catch the Michigan Science’s Center’s incredible stage presentation
- Detroit Art Machine: This fun attraction makes a piece of art based on kids’ moods
- STEAM Scavenger Hunt: Take the challenge for a chance at getting an amazing NASA poster (while supplies last)
- More: Face painting, balloon sculptures and ice cream or popcorn snacks for kids
Plus, we brought back our into our “Ed Talks!” These short chats for families offered tidbits of wisdom from area education experts. They got advice on boosting kids’ STEAM learning at school – and more. The 2019 topics were:
- How to Make Learning EPIC for Kids: Gary Abud Jr., 2014 Michigan teacher of the year, revealed how to make learning more engaging for kiddos
- The STEAM of Shakespeare: Sam White, founder of Shakespeare in Detroit, illuminated the role STEAM plays in the theater profession
- STEM Learning: From the Classroom to the Kitchen Table: Michael Egan, a seventh grade science teacher in Troy, unlocked the tricks to getting reluctant students to learn
- The Big World of ‘FIRST’ Robotics: Oliver Freise, a FIRST Lego League lead coach in Novi, chatted about the four levels of hands-on FIRST programs available to students
If you’re interested in having an exhibitor booth at the fair or event sponsorship for the 2020 event, email events@metroparent.com.