Using their imaginations and skills to create a winning structure at STEM Day at Tamaques Elementary School in Westfield are fifth graders (from left) Max VanCaneghem, Austin Chen, and Zachary Hom.
STEM Day at Tamaques Elementary School in Westfield emphasized the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math to all first through fifth grade students.
Organized by Principal Michael Cullen, First Grade Teacher Doreen Rowan and parents Deb Margolies and Barbara Maguire, demonstrations of STEM related topics were presented by parent volunteers. The sessions included math and engineering principles applied in Lego contests; math and accounting theories helpful in business; technical drawings created and used by engineers; x-rays depicting images of the human body; probability experiments demonstrating their use in actuarial science; aerodynamic principles that make flight possible; lasers and how they are used; engineering water systems; evolution of cell phone technology; exploring the senses; and the use of fiber optics.
Students also participated in a Design Challenge within their grade level to construct the tallest structure to support a marshmallow in only 18 minutes using materials provided – uncooked spaghetti, one yard of tape, string, and a marshmallow.