• June 29, 2016
     
    45 participate in STEAM Academy

    STEAM Academy Nearly 45 students participated in the STEAM Academy, held June 13-17, 2016, at Upper St. Clair High School. Students explored sculpture, rocketry and the school’s FabLab throughout the weeklong academy.

    The academy consisted of a week of hands-on STEAM-related activities, geared to students entering grades 9-12. This marked the fifth year for the summer program.

    “We offered these same classes last year and kids were really engaged with the program,” Lynn Kistler, science teacher and science curriculum leader, said.

    Students were enrolled in one of three labs: FabLab - Forms and Fluctuation; Model Rocketry - Design and Variance; or Sculpture – The EARTH without ART is just ‘EH.’

    In the FabLab, students had the opportunity to design and fabricate a personal project using the CNC routers, laser engravers and 3D printers. Some of the projects included cell phone cases, cell phone holders and charging stations, a miniature playground, a Frisbee, a Star Wars Tie Fighter, a knee hockey stick and model ships.

    On Thursday, the school’s parking lot was used as a launching pad as students tested their model rockets. The rocket course focused on the concepts of propulsion and thrust, drag, center of gravity, center of pressure, and the variable of flight. Through trial and error, students determined what can and cannot be controlled during the model rocket launch.

    The sculpture course had students working between the art room and FabLab as they blended synthetic materials and the natural world. Metal, ceramics, wire, glass and other materials were used to create wind chimes, sculptures and other works of art.

    On the final day of the weeklong STEAM Academy, students in each of the three labs presented their work and shared their experiences from throughout the week. View each group’s presentation: