RED LION, Pa. — Holding liquid nitrogen bubbles, guiding robots and trying not to topple the trivia-filled Jenga tower were just some of the activities that wowed second graders from Red Lion School District on Thursday.
The district's STEAM Ahead program offers an interactive escape from the classroom, inspired by one high school teacher's love for science.
"It all originated with my oldest son," said Laura Delawder, a Red Lion Area High School science teacher and the organizer of the event. "We were at home one summer and doing science things, making volcanoes and such. He said 'I really want to do this with my friends.' I was thinking small and thinking 'Okay, you want to have some friends over this weekend?' He said 'No, I want to do this with all my friends at school.'"
Seven years later, the program has grown into a day-long experience, helping students test out their knowledge with a range of activities.
"We go through the letters of STEAM, science, technology, engineering, art and math, but we focus mostly on the four C's," Delawder said. "So bringing in those elements of communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity."
This year's program welcomed a special guest. Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Khalid Mumin felt the electricity in the room, helping students complete electrical circuits.
He said it's an opportunity to highlight education at work.
"Any time that I get to engage with students and especially our young learners, it's exciting," he said.
Students at Red Lion School District had a hands-on learning experience at the event, one the secretary hopes will lead to future careers.
"Educational opportunities should ultimately lead to some form of workforce development, selfishly, here in the Commonwealth," Mumin said.
Delawder said STEAM Ahead would not have been possible without the help of 65 high school volunteers who helped keep the young learners engaged and excited.
"That collaboration between the high schoolers and second graders is I think what makes this magic, seeing them interact with one another outside of the typical classroom setting," she said. "Truly though, it's my high schools that I see light up working with my little guys."
Secretary Mumin said he hopes some of these high schoolers will consider a career in education, helping the next generation learn and grow.