Rota Elementary Celebrates STEAM Week with Community Support

Rota Elementary School recently hosted a weeklong celebration of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), bringing together teachers, students, community members, and military commands. The event featured a variety of activities, projects, and demonstrations aimed at fostering curiosity and creativity among young learners.

Collaborative Projects and Engaging Competitions

Throughout the week, students from various grade levels participated in whole-group projects that spanned diverse fields. From environmental studies to coding, career exploration, and parachute engineering, the students immersed themselves in hands-on learning experiences. Additionally, grades 3-5 were invited to showcase their scientific knowledge in the school’s annual science fair competition. There were more than 50 volunteers throughout the week, that helped put this event together.

The competition featured three distinct events:

1. Science Experiment: Students conducted experiments, exploring scientific concepts and hypotheses.
2. STEAM Demonstration: Participants demonstrated their understanding of STEAM principles through interactive displays and presentations.
3. Art Submission (Not Judged): Creative students submitted artwork inspired by STEAM themes.

Volunteer judges from local commands and the school community evaluated the Science Experiment and STEAM Demonstration categories. The event coincided with the ROTA feria, an annual celebration, and included a captivating Sevillana recital hosted by Mrs. Yadira Cuba, who is retiring after 40 years of dedicated service.

STEAM Night Highlights

Midway through the week, Rota Elementary hosted STEAM Night—an open and free event that drew families, students, and community members. Attendees explored various stations, each offering unique insights into STEAM disciplines:

1. Seabees: Visitors had the opportunity to learn about the Seabees—a specialized construction force of the U.S. Navy—and their impressive vehicles.
2. School Robotics Team and EOD’s Field Robots: Robotics enthusiasts interacted with cutting-edge technology, including robots used by Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams.
3. ESOL PCS Art Gallery: The English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) program showcased student artwork celebrating cultural diversity.
4. Community Demonstrations in the Gymnasium: Community members shared their expertise and passion for STEAM subjects.

Approximately 100 people—both children and family members—visited exhibits. The event exemplified the power of community collaboration and ignited students’ enthusiasm for STEAM education.

Looking Ahead

“It was beautiful to see the community come together to support our students and to see students get excited about STEAM,” stated Danielle Strutton.

As the week concluded, school administrators expressed their desire to see the event continue to grow. They encouraged interested military commands and community members to reach out in the new year to connect with the event coordinator. By fostering a love for STEAM, Rota Elementary aims to empower the next generation of innovators and problem solvers.