The Kent State Salem Campus hosted the second STEAM University, a free day-long event organized by the Columbiana County Educational Service Center for area students in pre-K through fifth grade. This year’s event added the “A” for arts, while again offering dozens of hands-on activities to promote science, technology, engineering and math.
Several local businesses and organizations provided more than 40 different fun hands-on activities for kids to learn how STEAM subjects are used every day in jobs by local individuals and how these topics are important in our region. The vendors included OH WOW!, a kid-oriented learning center from Youngstown.
There were rabbits, a lizard, an owl, a hawk, police cruiser, a SWAT vehicle, fire trucks, robots, balloons, plants, computers, musical instruments and much more for kids to enjoy.
Representing Kent State Salem were faculty and students from the nursing, rad tech, horticulture, early childhood education and human services programs.
There were hundreds of students from area schools districts, including preschools, private and public schools.
Cutline A: STEAM University on the Salem Campus
Cutline B: Kim Steele-Marks, director of the Human Development and Family Studies program, helped kids make calming bottles, complete with glitter, beads and bubbles.
Cutline C: The Early Childhood Education program helped kids make roller coasters for marbles. Pictured are (from left) Dr. Tsung-hui Tu, program director; students Connie Cross, Jordin Floyd, Amanda Reiter, Emily Forsythe, Elizabeth Callahan, Connor Stewart; and Dr. Diane McElwain.
Cutline D: Anna DeToro, a Kent State Salem graduate from the Horticulture program, explains to a youngster how insects harm plants and trees. DeToro is an adjunct instructor on the Salem Campus and works for Davey Tree in its research division.