28 MARCH 2023 By Mallory Gleich In early February, 206 parents, fifth- graders and their siblings flocked to Hopi Elementary for its inaugural Hopi STEM Night. The event, put on by fifth-grade educator Laura Mitchell and her team, was focused on teaching kids how to embrace science, technology, engineering and math. “I had been thinking about doing this for a few years, and with the money and inspiration I received as an ASU STEM Fellow this year, I was able to launch it,” Mitchell said. After she suggested the idea, her colleagues – Diana Bode, Debbie Voris, Justin Blacksher, Andy Banister, and Margo Shein – jumped on board to help. “Principal Plenkovich was very supportive, and our secretary, Danielle Leivian, did a lot of work behind the scenes. Our facilities manager, Preston Brewer, was instrumental in helping us set everything up,” Mitchell said. At STEM Night, four classrooms each had a specific station: one held math games. One held estimation contests, where kids had to guess how many Cheerios were in a jar or how many rubber bands were in a ball. Another held creation stations where kids could build gumdrop gears and cotton ball catapults. Finally, in the mystery box room, kids had to figure out which of the four diagrams (inside four enclosed black boxes) matched each other by listening to the marble inside the box. These classrooms weren’t the only spots students could enjoy STEM activities. The gym was dedicated to student STEM projects: “It was optional, but 30 students did projects and used the scientific method to investigate a question they had. This part was a highlight for me. Some of the questions were, ‘What makes a submarine buoyant? Which liquid melts the fastest?” Mitchell said. “As teachers, we encourage kids to wonder about the world and seek ways to test their hypotheses…and they did just that!” The Arcadia High Robotics Team stopped by with one of its robots to show off its skills and zoom around the gym. The AHS National Honor Society also provided volunteers for the event. The Sisters in STEM program – a volunteer group of students from Saguaro High that encourages STEM learning – were also on-site with four hands-on stations. “They had everything from spin art to electrical circuits. The kids loved it all,” Mitchell said. There was also a photo backdrop with math and science props where families could take photos, and the ASU Mobile STEM Lab did activities with the families in the music room. Outdoors, Hopi Hawks handed out STEM- related water bottle stickers, danced and greeted families. The Mad Science organization hung out in the outdoor amphitheater and did a “Fire and Ice” presentation with things like dry ice bubbles and potions – and this one was a fan-favorite: “I thought STEM Night was so much fun! I especially loved the fire and ice show and the estimation questions,” student Evelyn Vitch said. “I really enjoyed the STEM Night. The Mad Science and the catapults were fun! It was really cool doing the activities on the sides of the gym,” Lucas Heath echoed. There was also a scaled solar system model down a long pathway, with a poster for the Sun and each planet spaced apart at relative distances. When families got hungry, they headed to the Snowy Churros food truck for churros and root beer floats. “I liked how we got to win prizes, watch Mad Science shows, do activities with our friends, and so much more! It was so much fun, and I absolutely loved STEM Night,” student Ellie Hamilton said. “This was a wonderful opportunity for our community to come together and enjoy each other’s company while learning, celebrating our students’ efforts, and stretching our minds,” Mitchell said. Hopi hosts inaugural STEM Night event PHOTOS COURTESY OF LAURA MITCHELL Students were invited to create their own STEM projects. Mirabelle and Davis Ladner. S  S, A 1 & 2, 2023 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. 602.262.4727 | shemerartcenter.org The latest in florals, botanical and wearable art, all created by Arizona artists, plus hourly art demonstrations, live music, food & beverage vendors and a silent auction!