“STEAM” Night at Sabillasville Elementary

Theresa Dardanell The floor of the Sabillasville Elementary gym became the Atlantic Ocean—gymnastic mats were transformed into the Titanic, and ordinary physical education equipment turned into icebergs, lifeboats, and gear to get the students (passengers) to safety. That was only one of the exciting activities during STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) Night on May 5, 2017. Twenty-five families attended the event, which began with a welcome by teacher Melinda Bentz and a pizza dinner served by Principal Kate Krietz and other staff members. Students had the opportunity to visit two of the five stations set up throughout the school. Physical Education teacher Michael Pritt said that the Titanic Challenge gave the students the opportunity to create an engineering strategy and work as a team. In the Imagination challenge, students used Legos to build a car powered by a balloon. Teachers Tonya Wantz and Shari Austin worked with students to design their cars. One outstanding car traveled 101 inches! Art teacher Heidi Hench said that the Transportation Creation challenge combined art and math; students used geometric shapes to create and draw different means of transportation. The computer lab was the location of the Information Station, where Media Specialist Renee Bennett showed students, and their parents, how to use a database to learn more about the Titanic and then use that information to create a fun bookmark. Thurmont Library staff members Jeannie Read and Shelba Bollinger set up the Engineering Challenge station, where students could design and build structures using everyday items like clothespins, blocks, plastic cups, rulers, and paint sticks. Educational door prizes like Lego, art, and building sets were given out during the evening. One excited student jumped up and cheered as soon as his name was called as a prize winner. Students were challenged to build the tallest structure during STEAM Night at Sabillasville Elementary School, while parent Kellie Bytella (far right) cheered them on: (back row) Cale Tyeryar and Blair Carpenter; (front row) Brynn Eyler and Giana Bytella.