Norwalk Public Schools To Host Citywide STEM Expo This Weekend

NORWALK, CT – Catapults will be launching, eggs will be dropping and structures designed to withstand earthquakes will be swaying at the Norwalk Public Schools STEM Expo on Saturday, March 24.

The second annual citywide event, which is themed “Innovation,” will focus on the ability of students to think, question, design, create, struggle, collaborate, try, solve, invent, reflect and learn, according to a release. The NPS STEM Expo will take place at Brien McMahon High School, located at 300 Highland Avenue.

Doors open to the public at 10 a.m. Admission is free and all families and members of the community are encouraged to attend. Check the Norwalk Public Schools website for additional event details.

The Expo will kick off with Norwalk JROTC cadets leading the Pledge of Allegiance. Mayor Harry Rilling will then read a proclamation naming March 24 the official STEM Expo Day in Norwalk, after which judging will begin.

The Expo will feature student-led live demonstrations, STEM-related games, activities, and awards throughout the day. During the judging period, students will explain their pieces, while other participants and guests are free to explore projects and demonstrations.

“There is something for ages two to 92 at this year’s Expo,” Brien McMahon Science Department Chair and STEM Coordinator Thomas Seuch said in a release. “High school students will present live demos such as a DNA extraction with fruit, 3-D printing and robotics projects. We also look forward to a lively competition of alternative energy racers."

In addition to student projects, community partners will be offering interactive experiences such as 3D goggles presented by the Walk Bridge Project, and exhibits by the Maritime Aquarium, Norwalk Grows, Stepping Stones, Stew Leonard’s, Norwalk Police Department, Norwalk Fire Department, Norwalk Community College and members of Norwalk’s Chamber of Commerce.

Brien McMahon Healthcare Academy students will also offer free wellness checks for attendees

“The Norwalk STEM Expo is a true celebration of all things Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics,” Interim Chief Academic Officer Craig Creller said in a release. “As students prepared for the upcoming Expo, they honed their communication, collaboration and problem solving skills. These skills will continue to be used as building blocks throughout their educational careers and beyond.”

Judges will include educators, city officials, representatives from local agencies, honored dignitaries and community partners.

“STEM Championship” trophies will be awarded in all divisions. Projects included in this year’s Expo were selected from student and classroom work presented at individual STEM Expos held throughout the district.

Each K-8 classroom designed a class project focused on STEM with grades 9-12 responsible for individual projects. Two classroom projects from grades K-2 and 3-5 from each elementary school, and one group per grade, per house from each middle school were chosen to present at the March 24 expo.

Individual projects from Norwalk High School and Brien McMahon High School were also selected to participate in the Expo.