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It was a day of skill, wit, challenge, experimentation and fun that yielded a time of learning in the areas of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) that instructors hope will incite their students’ desire for learning well into the future. 

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School (CHS) held its first STEAM Day on Friday, Feb. 14 at the East St. Louis Higher Education Campus in East St. Louis. An awards program followed. 

“It’s been so much fun putting this all together. We wanted to highlight what STEAM is, and to let students see and experience some other connections than what they would typically in the classroom,” said Liza Cummings, PhD, CHS STEM instructional coordinator and STEAM Day planner.  

Throughout the day, groups of CHS students rotated through the following challenges:

• Mystery Bag (art/technology/mathematics) – Students used recyclable and other basic materials to create a new invention
• Tessellation (art/mathematics) – Students were challenged to arrange shapes closely fitted together in a repeated pattern without gaps or overlapping
• Realistic Sketch (art/technology/mathematics) – Students showed their skills of drawing technique by utilizing sketching, doodles, shapes, proportions, perspectives and more
• Escape the Room (mathematics/technology) – Students worked in groups in a race against the clock to solve a series of increasingly challenging equations
• Dough/Clay (science/art/mathematics) – Students used measurements and instructions to create and design a heart cookie
• Rose Slime (art/science/mathematics) – Students created their own unique moist, soft and slippery substance
• Catapult (science/engineering/mathematics) – Students designed a catapult with items provided with the mission of moving materials the farthest
• Roller Coaster (science/engineering/mathematics) – Students used logic and creativity to build a roller coaster
• Sudoku (mathematics) – Students learned how to play the puzzle game of Sudoku 
  
  CHS Art Teacher Hope Jordan came up with the idea of the Mystery Bag Challenge. Each group of students received a bag with the following contents: paper plates, an empty toilet roll, cotton balls, an egg carton, Styrofoam, water bottles, rubber bands, colorful pipe cleaners, pom-pom balls, Q-tips and paper clips. They were charged with fashioning a new invention that would be judged on creativity and appearance. 
  
  Brandon Moore, CHS senior, proudly showed off his group’s invention. “It makes those who hear it fall in love with the person playing,” said Moore, as he mocked playing the “Love Instrument.” “It is like a flute, but it has no holes.” 
  
  Moore’s team member, sophomore J’Mori Mitchell, quickly chimed in that the original design was her idea. “I wanted it to be an airplane, and he made it into an instrument,” she added. “But that’s OK, because teamwork makes the dream work.” 
  
  In one of the Escape Room Challenges, groups of students are intent on solving equations, using algebra and geometry. 
  
  “They have to use math and ingenuity to solve the problems, and get out of the room,” said Aaron Vance, CHS physical education and social studies teacher.  
  
  “STEAM Day is a unique opportunity for students to engage in principles that they aren’t using on a daily basis,” said CHS Social Studies Teacher Carolyn Kribs. 
  
  “We are always looking for ways to stretch and grow our students,” said CHS Director Gina Jeffries, EdD. “STEAM Day was an innovative and stimulating way to do that.” 
  
  The SIUE Charter High School is a school-of-choice for families in the East St. Louis School District 189. The mission of the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville East St. Louis Charter High School is to prepare students who are career- and college-ready upon graduation. To achieve this mission, the school and its staff will positively impact the educational and economic lives of East St. Louis, Illinois youth through individualized instruction in core academic subjects, exploration of career interests and aptitudes, assistance in realizing students’ talents, high academic goals, and expectations that graduates will become competitive employees for the 21st century.  
  
  Photos:
  Aaron Vance, CHS teacher, helps sophomore Sydney Williams in the Escape Room Challenge. 
  
  CHS senior Brandon Moore helped make a “Love Instrument” in the Mystery Bag Challenge. 
  
  CHS administrators and teachers held the school’s first STEAM Day on Friday, Feb. 14.