It was full steam ahead for kid’s education at Sayéik: Gastineau Community School during their hands-on science, technology, engineering, arts and math event aimed at enriching children’s experiences in various professions.
Sayéik: Gastineau Community School hosted its STEAM event on Thursday, which reading and equity specialist Catherine Schleck said that within the district, the event was the firs of its kind to take place during the school day.
Students from Sayéik: Gastineau Community School took turns in disassembling mechanics with the Take Aparts with John Kajdan at this year’s STEAM event.
“When we do events after school, you rely on the parents getting their kids here and we have a lot of students who are bussed in and they don’t always have that access, maybe their parents work later, so we don’t get as much of a turnout that we would get during the school day,” Schleck said. “We’re excited that all of our students have been able to participate and have access to this event.”
Elizabeth Brennell, a second grade teacher, said the aspect of STEAM she most appreciates is that kids are given an opportunity to unlock their curiosity simply by being exposed to different activities and different professions.
Robin Gilerist hosts the Bridge Building with University of Alaska Southeast, giving students a chance to build bridges of their own at Gilerist’s station on Thursday.
“We’ve got people here from NOAA, people here from Hecla mining, and ADF&G, Discovery Southeast, SHI, and they’re all introducing children to their professional specialty and so these kids are getting a chance to work and talk to experts in their field and learn more about it,” Brennell said.
Barb Lake hosts the Alaska Department of Fish and Game walrus wonders at Sayéik: Gastineau Community School on Thursday during this year’s STEAM event, giving students an up close and personal encounter with a real walrus tusk. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Over a dozen different booths were set up throughout the Sayéik: Gastineau Community School gymnasium for students to visit. Each booth included a hands-on instructor guided activities all focused around technical learning. Schleck said the school is grateful for all of the professional volunteers and as teachers intend to continue to host STEAM events during school hours in the future, Gastineau staff always welcomes ways to partner with the community.
Joel Bos from Discovery Southeast doing an Animal Tracking activity with students from Sayéik: Gastineau Community School during Thursday’s STEAM event. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
“If you have a specialty in any of the STEAM fields, the entire school district is looking for opportunities to partner in that way and expose those kids to different career fields and just different ways of thinking and problem solving, which is what these types of activities help them do,” Schleck said.
Juneau Police Department Officers John Cryderman and Aron Landry volunteer their time with students for a Fingerprinting station on Thursday for Sayéik: Gastineau Community School’s STEAM event. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Brennell added: “It’s been a great turnout. We couldn’t believe the number of people who have volunteered during a work day to come and spend the day with kids. Especially with how nice it is outside right now, people are choosing to come and spend time with kids instead of being outside, so it’s just been really exciting and awesome to see.”
The Science of the Stirling Engine with Lt. Evan Sutton and LCDR Christopher Schleck of the U.S. Juneau Coast Guard was one of several stations featured for Sayéik: Gastineau Community School’s STEAM event on Thursday. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
• Contact reporter Jonson Kuhn at jonson.kuhn@juneauempire.com.
Ebett Siddon of NOAA Fisheries spends time with students at her fish fetch station during Sayéik: Gastineau Community School’s STEAM event on Thursday. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
Johan Kugelmann with Sealaska Heritage Institute hosts his navigating with robots station on Thursday for Sayéik: Gastineau Community School’s STEAM event. (Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire)
