What STEAM Can Do
STEAM Camp participants with BB2C Makerspace staff member and tech expert and influencer Cleo Abrams.
Payton Brooker, BB2C Marketing Intern and Victoria Freeman Powell, BB2C Support Specialist
Students from Washington, Athens, Meigs, Ross, Jackson, and Wood County took part in BB2C’s third STEAM Camp this past July. STEAM Camp is a week-long residential experience for kids wanting to learn more about science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics. In the summer, there are many ways kids can continue to learn skills outside of the classroom. STEAM Camp is just such an opportunity! It gave students a chance to have fun experiences and learn new unique skills while focusing on teamwork and leadership.
In teams, the students built Rube Goldberg machines- machines with multiple steps, leading one after another in a sequence, without interruption. The students were split into four teams to build, with the goal being that their individual machines would link together to create the desired end result. Each machine was built using the different spaces in the Makerspace; the students incorporated 3D printing, laser cutting, sewing, art, woodworking, and computer LED coding in their builds. In the end, the teams needed only four days to complete this task!
When not in the Makerspace working on their Rube Goldberg machines, the students participated in business tours and community activities. They toured Pioneer Pipe to learn about portable manufacturing; explored the Anchorage Mansion with Hidden Marietta Tour Company; rock climbed at Marietta College; kayaked at Veto Lake with Wild River Kayaking; and visited Discovery World on Market in Parkersburg, West Virginia.
At the end of the week, there was an awards ceremony that was attended by the students and their parents. Students were commended for using the week to develop skills that would continue to help them as they moved toward their future goals. One student, Wyatt Kerns who attends Frontier High School, was awarded a one-year membership to the BB2C Makerspace as a direct result of his leadership skills with his team and his exceptional drive to learn new things.
“It was really awesome to see the impact it had on high school students for only being there for 5 days, " said Makerspace director Jared Wittekind, “counselors and students alike had a great time at the Makerspace.”