STEM Fair illustrates power of imagination

Author: Tammy Lane • First Posted: Saturday, March 06, 2010

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Kids were excited about their projects and the possibilities that abounded at the annual STEM Fair.

Kids were excited about their projects and the possibilities that abounded at the annual STEM Fair.

Kids were excited about their projects and the possibilities that abounded at the annual STEM Fair.

Wired for success, students from across Fayette County Public Schools showed what they can do at the annual STEM Fair, which showcases kids’ accomplishments and their use of technology to support science, engineering and mathematics.

The event, which Bryan Station High School hosted March 6, featured more than 80 projects representing 56 Student Technology Leadership Program groups. Their displays included such media as videos, digital art creations, interactive content and technical writing.

In the showcases, students were charged with demonstrating authentic projects that directly impact a classroom, school or community. The categories included Community Service, Entrepreneurial, Global Connections, Instructional and Technical.

In the presentations, students had to effectively communicate information and ideas using a variety of media and formats. For instance, kids from Julius Marks Elementary described how they produce a daily in-house newscast, and Bryan Station High students tracked how cell phones have changed through the years.

The STEM Fair also included a robotics exhibition with 18 schools represented, along with the competition mat from this year’s First Lego League Challenge and the mat teams have been practicing on for the STLP Ice Storm Competition. Down the hall, some folks test-drove an electronic robotic rover with a robotic arm on the front.

Community supporters were also on hand, including representatives from Dell, Lexmark, the Explorium of Lexington, Newton’s Attic, the University of Kentucky’s Center for Visualization and Virtual Environments, Unbridled Information Technology and more.

Lots of volunteers helped the day run smoothly, including students in Bryan Station's Academy of Information Technology.