x
Breaking News
More () »

Hands-on learning at Rocky Mountain STEAM Fest

If you want to see where education is going, take a stroll through the exhibit hall at the Boulder County Fairgrounds during Rocky Mountain STEAM Fest.

Rocky Mountain STEAM Fest

BOULDER COUNTY – If you want to see where education is going, take a stroll through the exhibit hall at the Boulder County Fairgrounds during Rocky Mountain STEAM Fest.

“Every single thing here has a hands-on experience, something you can do, and touch and feel,” said Martha Lanaghen, Executive Director of Maker Bolder, the organization behind the event.

From robots and drones to stained glass art projects, STEAM Fest gave kids the ultimate hands-on learning experience Saturday morning at the Boulder County Fairgrounds.

“When you set a child loose on something, they can experience at their own pace and visit what they really care about,” Lanaghen said. “Their eyes light up.”

Krista Torvik’s kids’ eyes lit up watching a small, humanoid robot raise its arms, sit down and kick a ball on command.

“I think education has changed a ton since I was a kid,” Torvik said. “I mean, we didn’t really know anything about coding and robots.”

Along with the science and tech, art was also on display inside the exhibit hall. Several kids and adults stopped by Judy Batty’s exhibit where they were able to build a stained glass mosaic, piece by piece.

“I’m a stained glass artist, so I have five gallon buckets of scrap glass always,” Batty said.

STEAM Fest celebrates all thinks science, technology, arts and making. Batty believes the “arts” component is crucial.

“It’s the glue that holds everything else together,” she explained. “Engineers have a way of thinking, but somethings, when they add the art component, it becomes that much more exciting,” Batty said.

STEAM Fest organizers expected to draw more than 5,000 kids, parents and teachers over the weekend. The event continues Sunday at 10:00 a.m. and lasts until 5:00 p.m.

Before You Leave, Check This Out