TETERBORO — Arts and sciences are often seen as opposites — logic versus creativity, formulas versus freedom of expression. Despite their differences, the overlaps in the fields can lead to extraordinary results.
After years of recognizing the divisions within these fields, five Bergen County Technical Schools students came together in 2024 to create STEAMsparks, an initiative aimed at teaching elementary-aged students about the unification of arts and sciences.
The students present various “STEAM” experiments at local libraries once or twice a month. They are free of cost and open to students in grades three and up.
Students use colorful clay to mold various parts of the brain to create a realistic model.
The experiments highlight the vast intersections of science, technology, engineering, art and math and encourage teamwork and critical thinking skills.
Ellie Choi is one of the student co-founders of the program. Between her own experience and stories from other students, Choi said she recognized the difficulties students have with combining two seemingly opposing subjects.
Students use colorful clay to mold various parts of the brain to create a realistic model.
“My cofounders and I had frequently seen students divide themselves by academic interests, thinking that they could or should only focus on either STEM or humanities,” Choi said.
“These restrictions limit one’s intellectual curiosity and prevent students from reaching a fulfilling education,” she said.
Through STEAMsparks, Choi and the other founders wanted to emphasize that art and creativity go in tandem with STEM, and there could not be one without the other.
President of STEAMsparks, Hailey Shen, said programs like these can help students explore more subjects they find interesting.
“There’s not really a downside to being a jack-of-all-trades or having multiple different interests … these interests can combine and form who you are,” Shen said.
Some of the sessions have included making bridges out of popsicle sticks, extracting DNA from strawberries, molding clay brain models and creating batteries from coins.
Student uses hot glue for bridge building experiment.
Tenafly librarian Latricia Markle said the experiments have been incredibly successful, describing the STEAMsparks leaders as “ambitious in what they’re willing to share with the younger kids.”
Markle encourages parents and students to explore the program.
“In a lot of places, the library is the only place that kids get extracurriculars besides school … this is the place where they get to explore not just what they have to learn, but what they want to learn,” Markle said.
STEAMsparks students said they are looking to expand and possibly obtain a non-profit status.
The founding members of the group include Ellie Choy, Samantha Liu, Catherine Garcia, Bridget Liu and Adalinda Guarcax, all current students at the school. The group is run by seven members who make up the president, vice president, creative director, webmaster, treasurer, project manager, and director of outreach.
To learn more, visit steamsparks.net.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Bergen Tech students share love of art, science with younger students
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