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Kids explore science and math at Lansing Community College STEAM Festival

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  Published in Science and Technology on Saturday, November 8th 2025 at 20:32 GMT by WILX-TV
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Kids Dive into Science, Math, and STEAM at Lansing Community College Festival

In a bright, buzzing space on the campus of Lansing Community College (LCC) last Saturday, hundreds of local students—ages 8 through 18—dove into a day of hands‑on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. The event, billed as the “Lansing Community College STEAM Festival,” was organized in partnership with the Clinton County Schools District, the Michigan STEM Alliance, and several local businesses, and was designed to spark curiosity, showcase future career pathways, and highlight the power of interdisciplinary learning.

A Multi‑Day Celebration of Discovery

While the main festival ran from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., a series of pre‑event workshops were held over the preceding week. These sessions, hosted at both elementary and middle school levels, introduced students to basic coding concepts, simple circuitry, and foundational math skills. The weekend’s central venue, the LCC Learning Commons, was transformed into a mini science fair complete with rotating stations, live demonstrations, and “maker” booths.

Hands‑On Activities that Cross Traditional Boundaries

The festival’s highlight was a series of interactive experiments that combined STEM with artistic creativity. At the “Build‑Your‑Own Drone” station, students assembled small quadcopters using modular parts and then programmed flight paths on tablets—an exercise that required them to think about aerodynamics, physics, and coding. Meanwhile, the “Chemical Art” table offered a palette of safe, colorful reagents that students mixed to produce vivid solutions, turning chemical reactions into visual masterpieces.

A robotics showcase featured a line of autonomous robots built by LCC’s robotics club. Students watched the robots navigate obstacle courses while explaining how algorithms govern motion—a demonstration that reinforced concepts from both engineering and computer science.

Math‑centric challenges, such as a “Geometry Hunt,” pushed participants to use trigonometry to solve puzzles around the campus, while a “Coding Quest” turned classic arcade games into an educational exercise in logic and problem‑solving.

Voices from the Community

“The goal of this festival is to show kids that science isn’t just about equations on a blackboard; it’s about building, creating, and solving real‑world problems,” said Dr. Laura Mitchell, President of LCC. “When they see a robotic arm lift a paper crane, they realize that the skills they’re learning can literally bring ideas to life.”

Clinton County Schools Superintendent Robert Hernandez echoed Dr. Mitchell’s sentiment. “We’ve seen a rise in interest from students who previously didn’t consider STEM fields,” Hernandez noted. “By bringing these opportunities to their doorstep, we’re widening the pipeline into higher education and careers in technology.”

Student testimonials also underscored the festival’s impact. 13‑year‑old Maya Patel, who usually struggles with math, reported that the “Number Ninja” challenge—where she solved equations under time pressure—boosted her confidence. “It felt like a game,” Patel said. “And when I saw the robot that was built from my own code, I thought I could do it too.”

Partnerships that Expand Horizons

A key component of the festival’s success was the collaboration with local businesses. LCC partnered with LECOM, a leading healthcare technology firm, which set up a booth demonstrating how biomedical engineers use software and data analytics to develop medical devices. Additionally, a local makerspace—Spark Lab—provides students with tools like 3D printers, laser cutters, and CNC machines for after‑school projects.

The Michigan STEM Alliance’s presence further enriched the event. Their representatives handed out informational packets on scholarship opportunities and internship programs available to high school students in the region.

Future Directions and Sustainability

Looking ahead, LCC plans to make the STEAM Festival an annual event, expanding its reach to include middle schools from surrounding counties. The college also intends to establish a year‑long mentorship program that pairs high school students with LCC faculty and local industry professionals.

“We’re just scratching the surface,” said Dr. Mitchell. “Our vision is to create a sustainable ecosystem where students can continue to engage with STEAM disciplines beyond a single day.”

Beyond the Festival: Ongoing Resources

For families and educators interested in replicating similar experiences, LCC has compiled a free “STEAM Toolkit” on its website. The toolkit includes lesson plans, activity guides, and a directory of community partners. Additionally, the Michigan STEM Alliance offers webinars on integrating arts into STEM curricula, which can be accessed through their online portal.

The festival’s success underscores a growing recognition that the intersection of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics is not merely an academic buzzword but a practical framework for cultivating the next generation of innovators. By combining rigorous academic content with creative, hands‑on exploration, Lansing Community College’s STEAM Festival set a powerful example for educational institutions nationwide.