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North Tama cultures community of STEM learners

Elementary school holds annual science, technology, engineering, and math fair

North Tama Preschool students including (l-r) Cole Thomas, Kadence Sage, and Annabelle Stock experiment with pink-colored water during the STEM Fair on April 21, 2023. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
A North Tama third-grader beams with pride while waiting to discuss her National Park Weather Study project last April 21 in the gym as part of the 2023 Spring STEM Fair. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
North Tama second-grade students build with colorful blocks and use light tables while older classes queue behind them during the 2023 Spring STEM Fair held last week Friday. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
North Tama preschoolers including Kadence Sage, left, and Annabelle Stock explore the water table which this year featured pink-dyed water during the district’s annual STEM Fair held on April 21. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
A pair of fourth-grade students works to engineer marshmallow and spaghetti noodle towers in the gym on April 21 during North Tama’s 2023 Spring STEM Fair. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
A trio of boys uses a video tutorial created by a fellow North Tama student to engineer paper airplanes in the gym during last week’s 2023 Spring STEM Fair. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
North Tama fourth-graders work together to engineer marshmallow and spaghetti noodle towers in the gym during the 2023 Spring STEM Fair on April 21. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
A third-grade student answers questions about her National Park Weather Study project during North Tama’s annual Spring STEM Fair which was held last Friday in the gym and gym lobby. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
North Tama kindergarteners wait patiently to discuss their animal habitat projects with members of the public in the high school gym lobby last Friday as part of the annual STEM Fair. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
A kindergarten student listens as a member of the public asks him questions about his animal habitat project last Friday afternoon in the high school gym lobby during the North Tama 2023 Spring STEM Fair. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
A pair of North Tama kindergarten students answer questions from an inquisitive member of the public about their animal habitat projects last Friday in Traer. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

TRAER — STEM learning was in the spotlight last week Friday afternoon at North Tama as the elementary school held its annual Spring STEM Fair in the gym and gym lobby entrance.

During the hour-long event, students from preschool through sixth grade had the chance to show the public how they’ve been using science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) in the classroom.

For several years now, North Tama Elementary teachers have been implementing a robust and rigorous STEM curriculum designed to foster creativity, curiosity, and inquiry.

In the lobby, kindergarten students spoke with members of the public about their animal habitat projects which were on display across several long tables. Next door in the gym, upper elementary student projects were featured.

While the fourth-grade classes worked in real time to engineer intricate yet sturdy towers using marshmallows and – new this year! – spaghetti noodles, third graders lined up along tables to chat with the public about their National Park Weather Study projects which focused on research and prediction as it relates to climate.

The fair was well attended with the lobby practically elbow-room only as the community turned out in force to celebrate North Tama students’ STEM achievements.