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Middle school students get a night full of STEAM events

Student in hat holds robot while looking at computer.
Middle school students get a night full of STEAM events

Over 175 students attended the first annual STEAM Night at Benjamin Turner Middle School on Thursday, March 9, 2023. The events occurred throughout the entire school and featured hands-on activities such as gaming, mad science, coding, engineering, math and robotics.

Two students eat ice cream.

“The goal of this event was to re-engage our middle school students with events that specifically target their needs,” said Director of Pre-K, Gifted & Talented and Special Projects, Dr. Gayle White-Wallace. “Tonight we turned it up a notch and made sure to include things that middle schoolers love to do.” 

“It was a really fun event,” said Benjamin Jones, seventh-grade student at Benjamin Turner Middle School. “I was really excited for tonight.” 

Jones was showing off the ice cream he just made with his friend and explained that with a little cream, some zip lock bags, rock salt and ice, it was really easy to make. 

Volunteer assists student.

Students from Mount Vernon STEAM Academy volunteered to assist teachers and other district staff facilitate the event. 

Volunteer Kayla Humphrey, 10th-grade student at the STEAM Academy said she wanted to go into forensic technology or cyber security when she grows up. She and her classmates, Ethan Fertil and Thomas Taylor were in attendance to talk to students about projects they have been working on with Northeast STEM Starter Academy (NSSA). This was a program they were introduced to at school in the third grade and have kept up with ever since. 

Three students from Mount Vernon STEAM Academy display projects.

STEAM Night showcased the ability to bring learning to life. 

“STEAM will always be fundamental to every aspect of life,” said Shauna Chambers, eighth-grade student at Nelson Mandela/Hosea Zollicoffer School. 
 

Two student volunteers in yellow t-shirts.
Student learns about gaming on computer.
Mother and daughter crush bag of strawberries.
Students eat pizza together.
Student looking at computer with robot next to him.
Student looks at cube structure sitting at desk.
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Stacia Fogg with students
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View the Q+A with her here!

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