Full STEAM Ahead: Corinth Students Engineer, Create, and Explore at Fall Camp

On Saturday, Oct. 18, the Corinth School District hosted the “Full STEAM Ahead into Fall” STEM Saturday camp. Over 100 students registered for the event which brought science, technology, engineering, and math to life through vibrant, hands-on activities designed to spark imagination and curiosity.

Pre-K students designed their own colorful fall suncatchers and crafted festive photo frames adorned with 3D pumpkins. Kindergartners loved building spooky Jack-o-Lanterns out of Legos and learned about static electricity by making dancing tissue paper ghosts magically float on a latex balloon.  

First graders created festive fall wreaths and tissue paper pumpkins. They also made unique, eight-legged spiders using recycled toilet paper rolls. “Today I made a pumpkin and a fall wreath,” said Stella Dodd, first grader. “I was so good at getting the googly eyes off the paper that I pulled off the paper for my friends, too. I put the eyes on my pumpkins to make them silly. I liked making the wreath that had leaves, pumpkins, acorns and a bow.” 

Second graders engineered a sturdy fall wagon using recycled materials to test how many miniature pumpkins it would hold. They also constructed fall sensory bottles with sparkling glitter and food coloring. Third graders loved making sticky candy corn slime! They also learned valuable teamwork as they constructed a collaborative pumpkin patch bridge together as a group. 

Fourth graders launched fizzy ghost rockets high in the air using an Alka Selzer tablet in empty film canisters. They also created pumpkin pom-pom poppers and raced to see whose pom-pom went the furthest. 

Fifth and sixth graders built spooky Halloween lanterns using Halloween-themed decorations and lighting them with electrical circuits. Siblings Cordelious and Aludia Cobbs love STEM Saturday. “I built a lantern in a glass jar with a spider web, cotton and a light,” said Aludia, fifth grade student. “My favorite part was when we got to go outside. STEM Saturday is really fun and every time you go, you learn new things and how things are made.” 

Pre-K through 2nd grade students also participated in a fall-themed Makerspace activity. They resourcefully built a “Little Engine that Could” using recycled egg cartons and various other materials. 

Third through 6th graders embraced the engineering spirit by creating their own monster out of colorful muffin liners and pipe cleaners. “I created a super hero monster,” said Cordelious, sixth grade student. “I didn’t want to make an evil monster. Makerspace is my favorite part of STEM Saturday because I put my creativity in it. I do it on my own. I also like using all the different materials. I learn something every time I come to STEM Saturday.”

All students learned about the basic principles of wind power by building toilet paper trains and using a balloon’s escaping air to power them. “The kids enjoyed this craft because they got to make their trains unique and race each other,” said Aysha Glidewell, STEM Saturday teacher. “I love STEM Saturday because it turns learning into an adventure and the students do not realize they are learning while having fun.” 

Students also participated in a high-tech Robotics and Engineering center. Students skillfully maneuvered Dash and Dot robots using iPads and specialized apps that allow the robot to be controlled through block or text-based programming.

Join us for our next STEM Saturday on Dec. 6 with the theme of Holly Jolly. Register at www.corinth.k12.ms.us.