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ROCHESTER — The Rochester Community Schools Parent Teacher Association Council is inviting district families to explore creative uses for common household items during the first STEM + Families Science Festival.
Students ages 5-12 and their families are invited to the event — which will be held 10 a.m.-noon April 28 in Stony Creek High School’s cafeteria — to participate in a number of hands-on activities designed to spark an interest in science, technology, engineering and math.
Ann Najera, who is co-chairing the event with Samantha Phillips, said kids will love playing with food, launching rockets, doing magic tricks, eating candy, changing the color of grape jelly, making slime and more.
“This event is a great way for RCS families to enjoy a Saturday morning out and play some games and learn a little about science. We will have stations for the kids and parents to do fun experiments together using common household ingredients. Some of the fun will include making a lava lamp out of a water bottle, making a simple animation with notecards, blowing up a balloon with baking soda and vinegar, and poking a wooden skewer through a balloon,” she said.
Families can also interact with representatives from some of the district’s elementary and middle school STEM classes and makerspace clubs during the science festival.
Space is limited for the free event, so those who wish to attend are asked to sign up as a family and to indicate the number of children who will attend. People can sign up at goo.gl/6D6ZN3.
PTA Council President Barbara Rill said the event was created in response to numerous requests from parents and finally came to be due to a $3,000 grant from the National PTA and the Bayer USA Foundation.
“We’ve had many parents requesting it, especially at the elementary level,” she said.
The Rochester PTA Council was one of only five PTAs nationwide selected to receive a grant through the STEM + Families initiative.
“We know — and decades of research proves — that families play a critical role in children’s academic success. We also know that parents and guardians have the biggest influence on a child’s educational and career decisions,” Jim Accomando, president of the National PTA, said in a statement. “Family engagement is essential to strengthen STEM education, bridge the STEM gap and help all children realize their fullest potential. We’re thrilled to empower Rochester PTA Council with resources to engage families in science education.”
The event is sponsored by the Rochester PTA Council, the National PTA and Bayer. The Rochester PTA Council plans to host another STEM + Families Science Festival in the fall.
