STEM Night will take place at Rock Run Elementary School in Iowa Falls on Monday, October 20 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m.
Organizer Brittany Zimpfer says the night will give students an opportunity to learn about science, technology, engineering and mathematics through exhibits from area businesses.
“Not only careers in our surrounding area, but also hands-on experiments,” Zimpfer says. “We’ve got Hansen Hospitals coming with some community things. Calkins Nature Area will be there. Ellsworth Community College’s Science Department will be there. A fan favorite from previous years is coming back, and that’s the Iowa Motor Trucks Association, and they bring a truck driving simulator. Students can see what it’s really like to drive a semi truck. It’s always one of the hot things. They love that. This year we also are going to have something new and have some 3D doodle pens that we were awarded with an Iowa STEM Scale Up award this year. So really excited to see what they create with those.”
More businesses and volunteers may still sign up to take part in the event, and donations are being accepted in an effort to pay for a reptile display.
Zimpfer says the night will give students and parents opportunities to connect with businesses and find out what they’re interested in.
“A lot of students sometimes don’t even realize the connections that can be made with the jobs their parents might already have. Maybe there’s a parent that’s looking for a job that can connect with a career or a company that they see out with us. So that always is awesome. I also think it’s really important teaching our kids how to fail, and what it looks like to fail and how we can come back from those failures. And the best way to do it is in a low stakes environment where you’re just building something fun, it falls down and you get to build it again. So teaching those lessons in a way that’s fun and not scary.”
Those interested in creating a business exhibit, volunteering or donating can contact Zimpfer by emailing bzimpfer@ifacadets.net.
Brittany Zimpfer interview:
