Every kid’s dream is to play with hand-controlled robots and cars, do fun science experiments and art projects. But what if all of these activities were free?
Families, students and the community of Rock Hill joined together on Sep. 28 at Fountain Park to celebrate and enjoy the second annual iMAGINE STEAM Festival.
Organizations from around the area joined to create an environment for children and parents of all ages to enjoy what STEAM learning has to offer.
“It goes back to the question of what is this whole STEM and STEAM concept. It’s more than the acronym itself. It is the way in which our kids learn and need to learn,” Susie Teague, director of the iMagine STEAM Festival, said.
“In learning in that manner it [teaches our kids] that everything is not in silos. That we are not a silo system and [our kids] are more likely to be prepared for what’s to come later in life and there are so many opportunities out there for our kids that we can prepare them for.”
The nonprofit organization has been putting on festivals in the Greenville area for about six years before they started doing it in Rock Hill.
“So I live in Rock Hill and seeing how successful the one was in Greenville and how well the community responded I felt like our community would respond well too,” Teague said. “There’s so much that is growing [in our community] that’s going to be available for our kids as they [grow]. It’s a prime opportunity for this area.”
Some of the tents that were set up included Winthrop’s own STEAM programs. Students and professors volunteered to put on science projects that kids and parents could enjoy. One of the projects included sugar paper. Kids could enjoy putting paper in sugar water and see it dissolve as they stir it.
“I think it’s great seeing the parents putting their kids in a great position while they are young,” Tynasia Foster, a sophomore biology major, said. “Bringing them out here and seeing the cool stuff that is happening will keep them involved in science and help better them as they grow.”
With Winthrop students and faculty volunteering, it allows the community to see what Winthrop has to offer.
“Winthrop is a great sponsor and partner and they do amazing things when they are here. The schools that come out here are doing amazing things and it’s so important for everyone in our community to see what is going on,” Teague said.
The festival has grown in the past year, and it would not be where it is today without the help of the community.
“It takes a team to get the job done and the city has been fantastic in helping. So all of the tents are nonprofit [STEAM programs] in schools or business industry partners,” Teague said. “What they are doing is fun and encouraging kids to pursue something that is [related to] STEM and STEAM.”
The organization and festival has grown and the organizers hope it will encourage students to look into careers that involve STEAM.
“The whole point is just to get that knowledge out there. There’s so many careers in the STEM field [that are] worth exploring and it would be great to see our kids grow here, go to school here, and get a career here,” Teague said. “To see the talent in our own community is wonderful. We have a great place here with the three counties and we should really make sure that shines for our state.”
Photo courtesy of Treva Hammond
