Space Foundation Participates in STEMapalooza

The Space Foundation, along with more than 5,300 children, parents, and teachers, participated in the first STEMapalooza event held at the Colorado Convention Center from Oct. 24-25. STEMapalooza brings together members of the science community from across Colorado to promote science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education to excite students about science.

The highlight of the event was Friday, when more than 2,500 students participated in a myriad of science workshops ranging from demonstrations in earth science to hands-on activities in building various types of rockets. The Space Foundation conducted several of these workshops where PreK-12 students learned about and built various rockets. From candy rockets for elementary students to Goddard rockets and straw rockets for older students, participants felt the excitement of building and launching their own rockets.

On Saturday, the Space Foundation informed parents and children on the Mars Phoenix Lander and it's significant finding of water on Mars. Afterward, they built edible Phoenix Landers out of various types of cookies, graham crackers, and candy.

Both students and teachers came away from the event with valuable lessons. Students saw the exciting STEM fields as potential career paths. Teachers gained valuable information on the different tools available to support their STEM education programs. Some of these tools include the Space Foundation's Space Discovery Institute, Teacher Liaison program, STARS student enrichment program, and the Science Standards Lesson Bank.

For more information on the Space Foundation's involvement in STEMapalooza or the Space Foundation's teacher and student programs, please contact Chrys Rheinbolt at 719.576.8000 or [email protected].

This article is part of Space Watch: November 2008 (Volume: 7, Issue: 11).