Students Present Science and Art Projects, Compete In Robotics

From experiments about how water responds to positive and negative energy – emotional water, to homemade fire extinguishers, 16 students from Magnolia Science Academy 3 (MSA-3) in Carson, a school serving students in Grades 61-12, presented year-long science and art projects, competed in robotics, and were inspired by NASA astronaut (former), José Hernández, at the Magnolia Public Schools (MPS) STEAM Expo 2024 held last Saturday, April 27, at the Long Beach Convention Center.

According to MSA-3 Science Chair, Mark McDevitt, student projects are selected based on their scores in three different competitions. The students must undergo a competitive process to become eligible to participate. “We picked the top 16 students and student projects to participate at the Expo,” said McDevitt. “These are our future scientists out there. These are the kids who are interested in STEAM, so whether they become scientists, go into technology, or engineering, they are going to have a basis right here that is going to lead them through life; maybe even their career,” he added.

Students like 12-year-old Shahan Gladden, a 6th grader at MSA-3, who presented a homemade CO2 fire extinguisher, said that he was curious about how a fire extinguisher puts out flames,” I learned that one ingredient can make all the difference in a tool that can prevent a fire and save lives,” said Gladden.

At the Expo, students also had a unique opportunity to hear from and meet NASA engineer and astronaut (former), José M. Hernández, who talked about his incredible journey from migrant farmworker to NASA space explorer. Speaking to an audience of more than 500 students and their families, and Magnolia educators, Hernández gave a message of resilience and opportunities created through innovation. He talked about being rejected by NASA 12 times, but persevering by learning new skills that brought him closer to his goal of becoming an astronaut: “Sometimes you have to do things you don’t like in the short-term, to change the end game,” said Hernández.

MPS is a network of 10 tuition-free college preparatory charter public schools in SoCal focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM). All schools are located in high-need areas from the San Fernando Valley to South Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego. Nearly 78% of students are on Free and Reduced Meal programs, 78% are Latino, 15% are students with disabilities, and 20% are English Learners.

“The STEAM Expo presents what is possible in STEAM fields for students living in underserved communities,” said Alfredo Rubalcava, Magnolia Public Schools CEO and Superintendent. “Our students are learning that there are people from our communities doing great things. If they apply the skills they learn at school and events like these, they too will find success in life,” added Rubalcava.

To learn more about the MPS STEAM Expo visit https://www.magnoliapublicschools.org/ and follow MPS on social media: Instagram @magnoliapublicschools, X @magnolia schools, and Facebook @magnoliapublicschools.