On Saturday, March 18, 2017 Anglophone School District West will host the 101h annual STEAM Expo at Nashwaaksis Middle School. This year promises to be another terrific Expo in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics.
You may notice that there is an 'A' which has changed our event from STEM to STEAM! We are very excited about this change and would like to tell you a little bit about it.
Why STEM to STEAM?
- Professionals who practice and study fields of science, mathematics, engineering and technology don't always rely on intricate laboratory procedures to convey their findings. Often, people who have breakthroughs are so passionate about a topic, they will create models, shoot videos, build structures, or even create a visualization that relates one topic to each other. This blends the lines between science and art such that the way that we present our passions for science may look like art.
- Are you saying that we can submit an art piece to be judged?
- No. This is still an event that celebrates student accomplishments in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
- So how do I incorporate the use of 'A' (ARTS) into my project?
- Good question. This will really be up to you. It is difficult for us to give you examples, however let's consider the following cases.
- Let's say you are trying to understand how the Nucleic Acids interact within a molecule of DNA. Maybe there are invisible forces acting on those structures, wouldn't your project be more powerful if those invisible structures were drawn or even built out of pipe-cleaners?
- What if your project is looking at a mathematical relationship between two statistical trends. If you fear that your audience will be bored by all of the numbers, is there a colourful way that you can express that relationship to make your audience feel more captivated by your project's intricate details?
- Maybe your scientific process has involved a step-by-step procedure that you are not able to replicate on the spot, you can rely on digital means to replicate that procedure, maybe in the form of a movie, a blog, or a series of pictures on a website gallery.
- Will our project lose points if we do not incorporate the 'A'?
- Definitely not. Students who are in the competitive category of projects (Grades 5-12) will be judged by a group of expert professionals in your particular field of study and will be basing 45% of your grade on your "Scientific Conviction." Basically that is a fancy way of saying: how passionate you are about your subject. Imagine that you are trying to present your topic as a job interview.
What is STEAM Expo Anyway?
STEAM Expo is similar to a science fair, but it is so much more! In addition to the Sciences, it includes Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. STEAM Expo has recently earned a lot of front-page focus in several American education journals and publications. It's great to emulate such a powerful program that is receiving international attention. STEAM Expo provides students in grades K-12 with an opportunity to pursue their learning interests and showcase their creative research, design, building, and problem solving projects. Every year our students produce an abundance of genuinely intriguing and informative projects and presentations covering different STEAM components.
STEAM Expo also provides an opportunity for related industry practitioners, businesses, university faculties, and professional organizations in the Fredericton area to share their expertise and passions with the community.
For K-4 Students
The elementary school component of STEAM Expo is based on a non-competitive philosophy which encourages student participation, sharing, appreciation for diversity, and inclusion. Participants will receive a certificate, a water bottle, a medal, and T-shirt for their efforts. The event will surely be a fun, engaging, and inspiring opportunity for our younger students to share their enthusiasm for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics.
For Grade 5 - 12
Participants from grades 5-12 of STEAM Expo will have their poster-based projects evaluated by a panel of expert judges from throughout the Fredericton and area science, technology, engineering and math community. All projects will be on display throughout the day of the Expo and open for the public viewing.
Participants will receive a certificate, a themro-pencil and T-shirt for their efforts, as well as cash prizes for the best projects in a variety of categories. Winners in various categories and grade divisions may move on to the River Valley Regional Science Fair hosted by Science East in April of 2017 and possibly earn an opportunity to represent New Brunswick at the Canada-Wide Science Fair in Regina, Saskatchewan, May 18-20, 2017!
Other Fun Stuff
Each middle and high school will have the opportunity to enter a 4-person team to compete in the Mystery Challenge during lunch break. Teams will receive a box of supplies and work within a time limit to create a special project. Teams will not know what the special project is until they reveal the contents of the mystery box. Teamwork skills, creativity and strength in the components of STEAM are your team’s greatest assets. Teams must register in advance with a unique team name. There are prizes for the winning teams!
Display booths from university faculties, engineering, technology, and science-based companies, student robotics teams, environmental groups, science education organizations, etc. will be set up to share information and interact with students, parents, and members of the public.
Science Clubs will set up a series of learning stations for our elementary students to explore. The Science Club from Leo Hayes High School will set up a series of learning stations for our elementary students to explore. Students from U.N.B. and S.T.U. will set up a series of learning stations for our middle and high school students to explore.
The event’s theme on "Space" will be highlighted by a variety of themed presentations. These theatrical skits/ dances promise to engage, entertain, and educate the audience with acting, singing, dancing, costumes, props, and exciting demos of STEAM concepts.