More Than 800 Attend STEAM Showcase in Sandy Springs

SANDY SPRINGS, GA -- The seventh annual STEAM Showcase hosted by the Sandy Springs Education Force was not an event hundreds of people in the community chose to miss.

The event held March 15 at North Springs Charter High School drew a record number of 2,000 middle and high school students and more than 800 community members throughout the day, the organization said.

The showcase featured engaging, interactive exhibits, including a flyover from WSB-TV’s drone and an opportunity to try out Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital’s Intuitive Robotic System. Participants also interacted with Vizitech USA’s zSpace’s virtual reality desktop, experienced momentum by standing on a spinning turntable with Georgia Tech Research Institute and learned about technology engineered into today’s cutting-edge vehicles with Mercedes-Benz.

The popular annual event, which features more than 40 exhibits from local business and education leaders, is part of SSEF’s multi-faceted outreach program designed to challenge, inspire and support Sandy Springs public school students’ pursuit of STEAM education and careers.

Sponsorships provide STEAM Legacy grants in all 11 Sandy Springs public schools. For example, this year’s grants help support a brand new music studio at North Springs, a STEAM club for students at Riverwood International Charter School and a drone club at Sandy Springs Charter Middle School.

Four participants who donated to SSEF’s STEAM Showcase campaign were given the chance to receive a tablet or folio donated by Wacom. The winners were: Elizabeth Hasler, Susan Muly, Linda Trickey and Debbie Mason. In addition, Spalding Drive Elementary School won a visit from the STE(A)M Truck, an interactive, in-school field trip worth $1500.

The elementary school had sign-in attendance at the evening showcase representing 25 percent of their school’s population.

To learn more about Sandy Springs Education Force and the annual STE(A)M Showcase, visit www.sandyspringseducationforce.org.

Photo 1: Sandy Springs Charter Middle School students display the drone they built and programmed in the club SSEF supports with a STEAM Legacy grant.

Photo 2: Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) representatives showed students biological specimen slides under the microscope.

Photo 3: A student uses Vizitech USA zSpace's virtual reality desktop.

Photo 4: The Mercer University exhibit teaches students about the dangers of water pollution.

Photo 5: Exhibitor and sponsor Comcast shared ways they strive to shape the future of media and technology.

Photo 6: A student learns about automotive technology from a representative from Mercedes Benz.

Photo 7: Woodland Elementary students show Fulton County School Superintendent Dr. Jeff Rose how to program an EV3.

Photo credits: Sandy Springs Education Force