At South Grade Elementary’s Afterschool Program in West Palm Beach, a group of eager young students gathered for an afternoon of hands-on learning to take part in the Passport to STEM Program. The program aims to introduce children to the exciting world of science, technology, engineering and math by embarking on a fascinating journey into the world of electricity.
Led by the enthusiastic Cox Science Center and Aquarium STEAM Instructor Christopher Ortiz, the children were given tiny circuit kits from Smart Labs, which they used to build circuits and program microcontrollers to operate with different functions. As they tested conductors and insulators and experimented with programming their circuits to light up and make different sounds, the children learned firsthand how conductors of energy operate.
With wide-eyed wonder and eager curiosity, the children dove headfirst into the activity, building and experimenting with their circuits with a sense of excitement and enthusiasm. For Leya Charlesca, a student from South Grade Elementary Afterschool Program, the experience was particularly enlightening.
“With the open circuit, the light will not light up, but with the closed circuit it will light up. We are also conductors, so we can make energy.”
Petrona Ramierez-Diaz, a child at South Grade Elementary’s Afterschool Program, was equally excited about the learning opportunity.
“Today, I learned that we can do a lot of things with the circuit, like make funny noises,” she said with a smile.
For Christopher Ortiz there was nothing more rewarding than seeing the youth engaged and interested in learning something new.
“I look forward to when the students ask questions. It shows me that they are engaged and interested in learning something new. I like when they ask me questions that I don’t know the answer to because then I get to learn something new,” he said.
Thanks to the help of the Cox Science Center and Aquarium, each child from South Grade Elementary Afterschool Program was able to work together to build a circuit and learn more about how energy works. With a sense of accomplishment and newfound knowledge, the children went home buzzing with excitement, having had a blast acting as energy conductors and programming their circuits to flash and make noises.
Cox Science Center and Aquarium is a Prime Time Palm Beach County expanded learning opportunity provider. Children participating in the Passport to STEM program are introduced to fundamental STEM concepts in subjects like chemistry, biology, engineering, robotics, computer science and programming, and physical science. Professional STEM educators present impressive demonstrations featuring liquid nitrogen, electricity and chemical reactions along with interactive experiences with fossils and biological specimens. These demonstrations tie-in to hands-on activities that allow for further exploration of the introduced concepts.
Some of the hands-on activities include slime-making, programming robots, examining fossils, identifying different kinds of shark teeth, experimenting with electrical circuits, and other activities that will allow youth to take something with them to extend the learning experience into the home.
All the expanded learning opportunities provided through Prime Time Palm Beach County are offered at no cost to the program and/or families thanks to the Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County.