By: Sherry Leavitt, NDFSCS School Site Coordinator Heart River Elementary/Dickinson Public Schools
The sounds of laughter, curiosity, and excitement filled the air as students, families, and educators came together for this year’s STEAM Carnival—an engaging, hands-on celebration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. The Full-Service Community Schools Site Coordinators, Eunice Salgado and Sherry Leavitt, created a vibrant space where learning met play and imagination took center stage. This event was open to all elementary schools in the district, and we had attendees from all the schools.
From the moment attendees arrived, they were greeted with a wide variety of interactive booths and activities designed to spark curiosity. Students had the opportunity to build simple machines, experiment with chemical reactions, explore coding through games, and create artistic projects that blended creativity with scientific concepts. Each station was thoughtfully designed to encourage problem-solving, teamwork, and exploration.
One of the highlights of the carnival was the engineering challenge zone, where students worked together to design and construct structures using everyday materials. The art area added another layer of excitement, showing how creativity plays a key role in innovation, from designing patterns to creating visually stunning projects.
The NJHS from DMS played a crucial role in bringing the event to life. Their enthusiasm and guidance helped students dive deeper into each activity, ask questions, and think critically about what they were learning. Families were also encouraged to participate, making it a shared experience that extended beyond the classroom.
Chef Wehner and his students from the SWCTE culinary arts center created an amazing meal for all our attendees and volunteers. Brian with Coca-Cola was so kind and donated the drinks for our event. We couldn’t be more appreciative of the collaboration and kindness in our community.
We had some amazing community partners that helped make our event a little extra special. A huge thank you to Dustin Young with the SW Art and Science Center, Nute Bishop from Apex engineering, The Scouts, Rhonda Kraenzel with the Book Corral and the WRCC for making this event amazing.
This event was made possible by the Dickinson Public Schools Foundation, thank you for supporting the work we do.
The STEAM Carnival wasn’t just about fun—it was about inspiring the next generation of thinkers, creators, and problem-solvers. By making learning interactive and accessible, the event helped students see that STEAM subjects are not only important but also exciting and relevant to their everyday lives.
As the day came to a close, it was clear that the carnival had made a lasting impression. Students left with new ideas, new interests, and a sense of confidence in their ability to explore and create. The success of the event highlights the importance of providing opportunities like this—where education is hands-on, inclusive, and full of wonder.