Governors State University’s Innovation Club collaborated with the Software Engineering Club and the Drone Engineering Club to host STEAM Night at Spencer Crossing Intermediate School on Thursday, Feb. 13. The event provided young students with hands-on learning opportunities in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM)

Professor Shukmei Oh, faculty advisor for the GSU Innovation Club, played a key role in organizing the event by selecting Lego Spike robots as one of the main activities. She coordinated the preparation of the required materials and arranged for iPads to have the appropriate required materials for the Lego robots installed in advance. With the instructions on the iPads, students were able to build the robots, fully engaging in the hands-on learning experience.

The young students followed the easy instructions on the iPads, carefully put the pieces together and watched their robots take shape. The hands-on experience gave the kids a chance to tap into their creativity and problem-solving skills while having fun with their creations. It was a great way to spark their curiosity about STEAM and inspire their imaginations.

Dr. Natalie Coleman, along with volunteers from the GSU Innovation Club and the International Culture Organization (ICO) Club, helped make the initiative a success. Volunteers, including Brett Alan Porter,  Sai Sindhu Tumukunta, Chaitanya Kumar Vepareddygari, Narendra Vamsi Krishna Reddy Resapu, Munganda Ashika Vency and Umadevi Kunduru guided students through the activities and made learning fun.

Sharing our passion for STEAM with the community was amazing, said a GSU volunteer.  “Seeing kids excited to learn was truly rewarding.” The initiative demonstrated how hands-on learning can inspire the next generation of innovators.