Fuller families go full STEAM

Science is all around us.

That was part of the message Dr. Jennifer Stimpson, director of education for the National Aviation Education Center, shared with the students, families and faculty members of Fuller Elementary School on Tuesday evening.

'You guys know that STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math, right?' she said. 'Well, I like to look at it as Students Taking time Every Moment, because that's what you're doing when you're thinking about STEM. You are taking time every moment to learn how STEM shows up in your everyday life.'

Stimpson, who traveled 92 minutes to be part of the school's STEAM Night, savored the chance to share her passion for science with the families in attendance.

'STEM shows up in your every day, and you just may not even know it,' she said, pointing to examples in the form of cellphones, televisions and refrigerators. '… STEM is really about problem-solving, not about being perfect. … STEM is an exploration.'

She expanded upon that.

'Scientists don't have to look a certain way, because a scientist is what you are in your mind and how you create things to make … lives for other people better,' Stimpson said.

She added that she was grateful to Assistant Principal Anverly Laster for asking Stimpson to speak.

'For me, it's a new audience and it's a new experience and a new door to tell the story about what we do and really just connect students to STEM,' she said.

As a Black woman in STEM, Stimpson said, she could also help inspire kids who see themselves in her.

'You get to role model for kids that not only look like you, but look up to you, about the wonders and possibilities of science and what that means for the next generation,' she said. 'And for them and how they can see themselves—… I can become it because I see someone who looks just like me.'

Principal Nathan Smith also shared the winner of the Jackie Fuller Elementary School Science Symposium Best in Show: fourthgrader Georgia Brechtel.

'I was excited and joyful,' Brechtel said.

Her winning project was entitled The Crystal Creation.

'It was about growing crystals, and we compared which did better, borax or sugar,' Brechtel said. 'And borax won.'

Her mother, Mindy Hennigan, enjoyed the opportunity to help her daughter explore the scientific method.

Stimpson's message Tuesday about STEM made an immediate impact on Amber Robertson, whose daughter is a Fuller kindergarten student.

Robertson said the message helped her think of ways to break down the abstract concepts of science for her daughter in terms she can grasp as a kid.

'Like Dr. Jay was saying about STEM being all around us and we don't even think about it,' Robertson said. 'It's harder to talk about these things when you're not even thinking about what you have available, so [this] is exposure for our 5-year-old to see science is all around us.'

Kastury Patranabis, whose twins are in third grade and who works as a paraprofessional at Fuller, said it meant so much to see the teachers pour their time into the kids after school, especially because of her children's love of science.

'I'm seeing them all day, working with the kids; they're working really hard,' she said. 'And after school, they're here, doing the scientific experiments. It's wonderful to see that.'

Rachel Macy, who also was taking her children around to the different vendors and experiments, was grateful for the chance to see what's available.

'I like that my kids can see different activities and see what interests them so I'm not guessing,' she said. 'They can tell me what they like, and we can get information and get them into things that they want to see and do.'

First-grade teacher Sarahi Contreras said seeing her former students come by, especially when they recognized the experiment, made the effort fulfilling to her.

'I love having the connection with them,' she said. 'This is only my second year teaching, so still having that connection … is really sweet.'

For Smith and Laster, having community events that provide value to the Fuller Family is a priority.

That also included wrapping in some of the free resources that were planned for the No Cost Night that was canceled because of ice in January.

'I love to be able to get them into the school for all the positive, great things that are happening,' Smith said.