Across three rooms – the high school gym, gym lobby, and cafeteria – students not only showcased completed STEM projects but also had the chance to demonstrate their learning through interactive displays including a massive domino presentation by Dalton Hulme’s fifth and sixth grade students set up in the gym to kick off the fair.

In the gym lobby, kindergarten through second grade static projects were on display, while early childhood special education, preschool, third and fourth grade projects were displayed in the cafeteria.

For this year’s fair, kindergarten students researched an animal and then used their research to write and illustrate a small book about their chosen animal. Students further used their research to make a model habitat for the animal in a small container.

In the cafeteria, student STEM activity was bustling most of the afternoon where students flew sturdy paper airplanes through hula-hoops and attempted to engineer the tallest possible tower using toothpicks and mini marshmallows.

North Tama’s elementary interventionist and STEM coordinator Christy Crees assisted various groups of students in the lunchroom with their learning including using an invention kit that turns everyday objects – like bananas and pencils – into computer keys through a closed loop electrical signal.

Also in the cafeteria, preschool teacher Jill Miller’s students showcased their water table filled with blue water – answering questions from older students while they measured, poured, and splashed.

Elementary principal Susan Johnson also interacted with students during the fair by asking questions designed to further STEM knowledge and build problem-solving skills.