Students from pre-K through 12th grade will converge on downtown Muskegon on Saturday, May 7, to take part in a variety of science, technology, engineering, art and math activities during the first-ever STEAM Along the Lakeshore.
The event, which is free, takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Hackley Park, Hackley Public Library, Lakeshore Fab Lab, Lakeshore Museum Center, and the Muskegon Museum of Art. The first 1,000 students and children will receive a free backpack, a STEAM kit, and a t-shirt. The adventure begins at the registration table located in Hackley Park directly across from the MCC Sturrus Technology Center.
The planned activities include:
- Lakeshore Fab Lab visitors choosing one of three projects: engineering a sail car, designing a straw rocket, or building a catapult set;
- Muskegon Museum of Art visitors completing an interactive guide indoors;
- Students creating their own exploding paint work of art outdoors at an event co-sponsored by the Hackley Public Library and the Muskegon Museum of Art;
- Hackley Public Library visitors operating robots and engineering their own book;
- Lakeshore Museum Center visitors learning about fossils and fossil casting while taking home a real fossil; and
- Anyone interested in playing mini golf for $5 per person or, if a Muskegon Museum of Art member, for free.
“The STEAM event is for the entire family,” said Cyndi Langlois, the associate dean of workforce and talent development at Muskegon Community College. “We want students and their families to get excited about classes and careers in STEAM fields. But we also want to bring awareness to our organizations, including activities and resources that are always available to families in our community.”
Organizers include the Hackley Public Library, Lakeshore Fab Lab, Lakeshore Museum Center, MiSTEM Network, Muskegon Community College, and the Muskegon Museum of Art.
Current sponsors include: Howmet Foundation, GENTEX, Reset, Webb Chemical, Rolar Products, DTE, MISTEAM, Scherdel Sales and Technology, Pace Industries, Mart Dock/Max McGee, Ferris State University, Core Realty, MI Spring and Stamping, Disher, and the Consumers Energy Foundation.
For more information, contact Cyndi Langlois at (231) 777-0456 or at cyndi.langlois@muskegoncc.edu.