U-46 to host STEM Expo kickoff events
Elgin Area School District U-46 hosts kickoff events in November at local libraries to prepare students and families for the STEM Expo Feb. 24 at Bartlett High School.
The sessions give students a chance to engage with cutting-edge technologies, experiment with next-generation science, examine live chemistry and physics demonstrations, and explore all areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The expo is open to kindergarten through 12th-grade students. Roughly 300 students participate each year.
"It's turned into a big event," said Debbie Perryman, coordinator of K-12 science/planetarium. "We're worried about not having enough space at Bartlett High School in the gym."
Perryman said unlike typical science fairs, the expo is not competitive.
"The purpose is to expose students to all the ways math and science touch their lives and all of the job potential that is out there ... and hopefully expose them to a realm of science they weren't even thinking of," she said. "You are sharing your research, ideas and get feedback on it. It's not about a placing. It's about giving kids a chance to show their learning. The highest level of learning is when you teach someone else. They will be able to defend their research and their projects to people."
Students seeking project ideas can use the kickoff events as brainstorming opportunities. Information packets are available at the events from 6 to 8 p.m. at:
• Nov. 6, Bartlett Public Library, 800 S. Bartlett Road.
• Nov. 8, Poplar Creek Library, 1405 S. Park Ave., Streamwood.
• Nov. 14, Gail Borden Library, Rakow Branch, 2751 W. Bowes Road, Elgin.
• Nov. 15, Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin.
Officials are seeking STEM organizations and vendors to participate in the sessions.
"The idea is to get a diversity of exhibitors to give students an idea of what STEM really is ... to find an unexpected interest," Perryman said.
Interested groups or businesses can contact Perryman at debbieperryman@u-46.org or Sara Rodriguez-Horn at sararodriguezhorn@u-46.org.