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Snyder fourth grader Luke Lawson shows his brother Jase and father Jason how to use the ZSpace 3-D computers during Saturday’s Maker Faire.
With more than 20 projects on display, and a handful of hands-on activities, visitors to Saturday’s Maker Faire received a crash course in science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM).
During the faire, which was held in the Snyder ISD’s STEAM lab at Snyder Intermediate School, students presented STEAM projects they worked on this year.
The event featured students sharing their passions and demonstrating their projects, as well as representatives from the Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering (TAME), who showcased their STEAM gadgets.
Snyder ISD district STEAM coordinator Ryan Maney organized the event.
“This was a great way to bring diverse grades together in an environment that is fun and hands-on for everyone,” Maney said. “This was an opportunity to show their creativity and explain their passions. This is deeper than what you’ll find in a textbook.”
STEAM projects showcased Saturday included first graders’ cardboard arcade, Snyder High School’s 3-D printers, drone racers, sixth graders’ robotic story maps and a 3-D printed remote controlled car.
“I think we targeted a group of people who do not see this kind of equipment on a day-to-day basis,” Snyder Primary School second grade teacher Megan Greene said. “This gave my students a chance to show their parents and the community what they’ve been learning.”
Snyder High School senior Kellee Martini said she was grateful to be a part of the Maker Faire in order to share some of the lessons she’s learned with the community.
“I am glad this was organized for our community,” Martini said. “I like that this is letting us reach out to the community and getting the younger students excited about science. They look up to us and if we can teach the younger generation the importance of STEM then they will go out and teach others.”