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STEM Fair transforms Pine Plains students into prospective scientists

STANFORDVILLE — The entire Cold Spring Early Learning Center cafeteria was packed table to table with creative young minds at the Pine Plains Elementary PTA’s annual STEM Fair on Tuesday, April 9.

The fair invited Pine Plains students in pre-k through sixth grade to bring in their own original projects, all for the fun of learning. 

“It’s a good way for kids to think and show their work,” said Pine Plains Elementary PTA Co-President Carrie Williams. “I think it’s always good to get kids thinking, and the earlier the better to get them thinking about the environment and the world around them.”

“They also get to show it off to other students — their peers — and explain what they did and what happened,” said PTA Co-President Jaymie Wilbur. “It gets them thinking about the scientific method.”

From classic experiments that featured clean pennies and homemade slime to original experiments that put eggs at the top of their list of materials, students posed thoughtful questions about the world around them through projects like Feel the Burn, Sink or Float?, Magnetic Slime, Lemon Battery and more. Along with the more detailed experiments, there were a couple of colorful Lego creations for attendees to admire.

As STEM Fair attendees made their way around the cafeteria to observe the many projects, students summoned their peers, parents and teachers to watch their demonstrations. On top of reflecting their creativity and comprehension of the scientific method, the students articulated what they learned from the projects they designed and how to apply those lessons to their surrounding environment.

“It’s exciting to see the kids’ faces,” Wilbur said. “They’re excited about what they brought, they’re teaching their peers and it’s always nice to see them engage with other projects.”

“It’s also a good family event,” Williams added.

At the end of the STEM Fair, all participating students received a medal for their hard work.

Lakeville Journal

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