A Day of Science in Valparaiso
On Monday, around 200 young members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana gathered at Urschel Pavilion and Central Park Plaza in downtown Valparaiso to dive into the world of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through engaging activities.
The event provided an opportunity for these kids, hailing from Lake and Porter counties, to interact with various STEM concepts in a fun and practical manner. Activities ranged from flight simulators and robots to creative experiments like shooting balls into the air and using centrifugal force with cups of water. The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement as kids explored these different scientific principles.
Unique Experiences for Aspiring Scientists
Leonard, age 17, shared his experience as he posed for photos at the Best Buy booth. “I felt like I was on top of the world,” he expressed. He also shared his hobby of creating play-along videos on YouTube, mentioning a one-hour video he posted six months ago.
Lincoln, at 12 years old, experimented with a handheld magnification device. He noted, “You have to zoom in the perfect amount to get it to resolve.” His focus and attention to detail provided a glimpse into the practical aspects of optics.
Younger attendees like Austin, aged 7, got a taste of what astronauts experience. “When I had the gloves on, the screw, it felt like what people do in space,” he remarked. Jean-Michel Sicaud from Boeing guided the kids, engaging them in tasks such as pushing pipe cleaners through colanders and threading nuts onto bolts, much like astronaut challenges in space suits.
Interactive Fun and Learning
Laylah, age 10, found joy in playing with Air Toobz, an apparatus that uses air compressors to propel balls through connected plastic tubes. She appreciated the way the equipment operated and expressed interest in owning one. “I would tell my mom to buy these,” she stated.
Laylah and Leniyah, aged 11, explored the Bernoulli principle, observing how the balls floated on air as they adjusted air pressure. This phenomenon is widely used in industries such as hovercrafts and aerodynamics testing.
A Growing and Interactive Event
Marcus Steele, the Family and Youth Service Coordinator for Gary, was among the event speakers. As a former Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year, Steele emphasized the annual STEM-a-Thon’s role in making science accessible and enjoyable. “It just seems like it gets bigger and bigger every year,” he said.
Mike Jessen, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana, discussed the event’s impact. “Getting all the clubs together, that’s what makes this experience so unique,” he said.
Throughout the summer, club members enjoy extensive field trips to various educational and entertaining destinations such as zoos and museums, facilitated by club staff.
Community Connections
A glimpse into the broader community unfolded with stories of transformation and growth. Jake Klotz, associated with Blockhead Beerworks, shared his personal connection to Valparaiso’s old club, now transformed into the Grand Gardner Hotel.
Denise Koebcke’s transition to director of philanthropy for the Boys & Girls Club organization was also highlighted, showcasing career paths intertwined with community development.
Other dynamic activities included learning about centrifugal force, facilitated by Karla Conrad from the PALS young professionals group. Kids experimented by swinging a glass of water in circular motions, a practical application of physics.
Overall, the STEM-a-Thon served as an engaging platform for Northwest Indiana’s youth to not only learn but to experience scientific principles firsthand, fostering interest and curiosity across various scientific fields.