Saint James Students Address Global Challenges at STEM Fair

Saint James the Apostle School in Springfield recently held its Second

Annual Juried STEM Fair for students in the sixth through eighth grades. The theme of this year’s fair was “creating engineering solutions to global sustainable development challenges.”

The theme was based on goals advanced by the United Nations that include renewable energy, peace and justice, responsible consumption, clean water and sanitation.

St. James students worked in teams to study a problem that threatens sustainability and create a process and a solution. Under the guidance and leadership of the middle school science teacher, Melissa Robbins, the students worked on their projects and kept an engineering notebook since the beginning of the school year.

While developing their projects, the teams had to keep in mind the three pillars of sustainability: society, economy and the environment. From Afghanistan to Zimbabwe, Saint James students developed innovative ways to accomplish such goals as finding alternative energy solutions and learning how to waterproof homes, collect, clean and filter water, fight germs, and prevent skin disease.

"As stewards of the world God created, our students have developed a deeper appreciation for the gifts God has given them and they have learned how to use their gifts and work collaboratively, using STEM, to find solutions to make the world a better place for all," said Caroline Ponterio, principal of Saint James School.

Students presented a tri-fold brochure and prototype to an audience of seven (7) judges. The three finalist projects were:

• Team Malaria Prevention Company - bug repellant for Zambia –Natalyah Cadiche, Grace Roethlin and Daveigh Wolf
• Team N.A.R.B. - hand sanitizer for Philippines – Andrea Falar, Raina Mendoza, Naomi Murphy and Brielle Pierre Philippe
• Team Green Clean - homemade soap for Zambia, shown in the photo are: Jack Chacon, Kelsey France, Karla Perez-Palacios and Maren Roy.

The finalists will advance to the Archdiocese of Newark’s STEM Expo which will take place on April 12 at the Youth Retreat Center in Kearny.

In addition to the STEM Fair, the younger students worked with the art teacher, Traci Burns, to create art for the fair and expo, on projects that addressed issues of peace and social justice.

This year, Saint James the Apostle School is celebrating its 65th anniversary. The school serves the parishioners of Saint James the Apostle Church in Springfield and surrounding communities. Saint James the Apostle School offers students from PreK-3 through grade eight a Roman Catholic faith-based education which acknowledges each child's individual ability to achieve their fullest potential academically, socially, and spiritually.

Saint James the Apostle School is located at 41 South Springfield Ave., Springfield, NJ 07081. Call 973-376-5194 or Email sjschool@sjspringfield.org for more information.