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Kids dress as superheroes for STEMtacular

The 2024 STEMtacular lived up to its name. It was specular fun again for pre-K kids and kindergarteners.

The superhero-themed, STEM-infused event moved to Thornton Elementary this year and included tons of fun STEM activities, live animals and superhero training. It also welcomed more than double the number of superheroes – aka pre-K and kindergarten students – who attended last year.

The fun was strategic – designed to inspire imagination, curiosity, questions and learning.

When students arrived, they received a superhero notepad and pencil to use as they explored the different activities.

“Some of the kids were very diligent about taking ‘notes’ as they observed the interactive animal display or made predictions about which items would sink or float,” said Wonder Woman – aka Lilly Hamner, 91��Ƭ�� early childhood learning coordinator of operations.

There were plenty of opportunities for the kids to take notes. In addition to the STEM activities inside, kids participated in the Superhero Training Camp outside. And Professor Foster – aka Ken Foster, 91��Ƭ�� early childhood instructional specialist – told the story of Sammy the Super Squirrel and explored the power of force as Sammy encountered different animals who helped him push or pull objects to move things.

“The combination of storytelling and this simple science experiment helped students understand the basic concept of forces in a playful and interactive way,” Hamner said. “It also encouraged them to engage in hands-on learning and explore the physical world around them as they experimented with different types of ramps and objects.”

Hands-on learning was exactly the point. So, while the event was a great opportunity to wear a costume and do some fun things, there was a bigger picture.

“From a curricular perspective, the Stemtacular event aligns with the developmental milestones of pre-K students by fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills,” said Dr. Hildelisa Díaz, 91��Ƭ�� early childhood coordinator. “Activities designed for young children promote inquiry-based learning, allowing them to ask questions, make predictions and test their ideas in a supportive environment. This approach not only enriches the curriculum but also encourages curiosity, a fundamental aspect of early learning.”

Díaz’s description for STEMtacular also describes 91��Ƭ��’s pre-K program. It’s all about fun, strategic hands-on learning that gets little learners ready and excited for their academic journey.

If you have a 3- or 4-year-old not in 91��Ƭ��’s pre-K, it’s not too late. You can still enroll your child. Register today or contact the early childhood learning team with any questions you have at (682) 867-9418 or prekquestions@aisd.net.