Community Corner
CHSD170's Greenbriar School Hosts a STEAM Extravaganza
The event invited students and their families to engage in a series of activities focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Math
Chicago Heights School District 170 Greenbriar recently hosted a STEAM Family Night for students in grades K – 8.
During the event, families engaged in various activities involving Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math.
The event introduced parents and family members to the STEAM initiative that has become an integral element of the education process in schools across the nation. It is an approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics as access points for guiding student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking.
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The utilization of STEAM-based learning results in students engage in experiential learning, persist in problem-solving, embrace collaboration, and work through the creative process.
The evening's activities included analyzing fingerprints, creating symmetrical snowflake art, and discovering how states of matter change while making ice cream.
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Participants engineered stout structures using everyday objects, investigated rocks from around the USA, and concocted formulas for Playdough. They also created strategies while playing games with characters from Angry Birds and mathematical values in a game called Heavy Hearts.
Greenbriar Principal Joe Taylor was most pleased by the evening's success and by the interest the activities generated amongst the participants.
"It was amazing to see such a wonderful turnout and to have our students and their parents and families actively exploring and learning together!" he said.
Alecia Hoefler, a junior-high Math teacher, noted that the students were excited to have the opportunity to learn, discover, and experience educational opportunities outside of the classroom.
"The students were enthusiastic about sharing their learning experience with their families and about the opportunity to take materials home to continue fun learning opportunities with their families."
"We sure like to learn here at Greenbriar," Hoefler concluded, "and of course, have fun doing it!
