Sparking Curiosity: Corinth Students Rock the World of STEM

On Saturday, April 11, the Corinth School District hosted the “STEM Rocks” STEM Saturday camp, where over 100 registered students brought science, technology, engineering, and math to life. The vibrant, hands-on activities were specifically designed to spark boundless imagination and intellectual curiosity in students from Pre-K through 6th grade.

Creative Pre-K students designed their own Earth Day tote bags and painted textured rocks with luminous glow-in-the-dark paint. Kindergartners were in awe as they watched their “Earth” balloons grow by triggering a foamy chemical reaction using vinegar and baking soda. Students also used baking soda, food coloring and vinegar to create a bubbly, fizzing representation of Earth’s vast water and land masses. 

First graders explored the fascinating science behind fossils. “We made fossil imprints using plastic dinosaurs and air dry clay,” said STEM Saturday student Avery Tucker. “I also made a junior paleontologist badge.” 

The students also used sweet Oreos to model the Earth’s complex layers: lava, core, mantle, and crust. They opened the cookies and used icing to build the mantle and crust. “We learned about what the earth’s crust looked like,” said Tucker. “My Earth tasted great!”

Inventive second graders built sturdy parachutes, bright Easter Egg rockets, and colorful pipe-cleaner flowers. Third graders excavated ancient fossils and identified unique rocks in their rock dig. “We dug up different types of rocks,” said Ethan Thang, third grader. “I love rocks. I have an entire rock collection at home and I know a lot about rocks. My favorite rock is emerald because that is my birth stone. We also made a rock cycle in a bag. We shredded crayons, applied pressure and left it out in the sun to make a rock. I like STEM Saturday because you can do little projects and you learn about science.”

Fourth graders explored delicious edible types of rocks in a tasty rocks experiment. They also created one-of-a-kind Earth Day birth feeders. Our fifth and sixth-grade students rotated through dynamic STEM stations, engineering powerful catapults, balancing smooth rocks to create towering sculptures, and creating artistic pet rock designs.

Pre-K through 2nd grade students also created their own rocks in a collaborative Makerspace activity. Third through 6th graders made their own miniature greenhouses using soil and fertilized seeds. They also learned about the continuous water cycle by making bracelets using beads to represent each step. “I liked making the water cycle bracelet,” said Thang. “I knew about all the steps of the water cycle but precipitation is my favorite step in the water cycle because blue is my favorite color.”

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. 

In addition to learning about science and engineering, STEM Saturday provides a valuable social outlet for the students. “My favorite part of STEM Saturday is the experiments, the fun stuff and going outside,” said Thang. “I like talking and hanging out with my friends. I see friends that are not in the same school class as me.”

STEM Saturdays will continue in the 2026-27 school year.