Young people gathered Wednesday at the Lealman Exchange to learn more about science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.
The Exchange, in the unincorporated community of Lealman, provides resources to local residents. The center is a public-private partnership between Pinellas County and the St. Petersburg Foundation.
A variety of Tampa Bay area organizations participated in the fourth annual STEAM Day. These included Pathfinder Outdoor Education, the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, Keep Pinellas Beautiful, Pinellas County Animal Services, the Tampa Bay STEM Network and Scouting America.
Attendees between the ages of five and 17 were able to visit 12 interactive stations. Activities covered topics such as marine science, nutrition, public art, coding, environmental conservation, animal welfare and physics.
“I think that it is important to have all five STEAM categories,” said Becca McCoy, St. Petersburg Foundation Lealman navigator and STEAM Day coordinator. “The reason we incorporate art is because of the ways that it makes the other core disciplines more accessible. We use art to visualize data and think outside of the box.”
“These categories all have career potential and connect us to the greater sense of being human,” she continued. “I think that these kinds of specialized activities, organization to organization, help the kids experience them rather than just think or hear about them.”
Codie Roper of Pinellas County Animal Services taught children about microchips. He showed attendees how the technology works and how professionals use it to help owners reunite with their pets. To demonstrate, Roper brought a scanner and a stuffed dog toy.
Codie Roper of Pinellas County Animal Services, left, taught children about microchips.
“This is very important for kids to understand at this age because microchipping is probably one of the most misunderstood parts of animal care,” he said. “Having a microchip is the difference between us being able to get an animal back home or not.”
Scouting America representatives oversaw an inflatable axe throwing station.
For James Hebbel, Scouting America Greater Tampa Bay Area Council senior Skyway District executive, the activity was an opportunity to educate children about aerodynamics while encouraging them to play.
The goal was to show children that “you can still get outside and be active.” He believes that “not everything is about technology.”
Assistant district commissioner Mary Luther added that axe throwing helps children learn about motion and balance.
“It’s more about energy and how your energy is put to work,” she explained. “You can use your arm as a lever. The throwing motion is actually controlled.”
Tampa Bay STEM Network representatives oversaw a station where children launched stomp rockets.
Space Trek, which educates youth about STEM topics including space exploration, is a partner with the Tampa Bay STEM Network. The nonprofit supports students, families and educators.
Larry Plank, Space Trek’s chief education and programs officer, oversaw a station where children launched stomp rockets.
“Even with these simple toys, kids have to think about things like thrust and have to make sure that they are aiming correctly,” he said. “It’s not much different than what we do over at the Space Coast.”
Artist Justin Groom is McCoy’s husband and the co-owner of Leafmore Studios. He helped attendees spray paint a tent that the Lealman Exchange uses for events.
The exercise, he explained, was designed to teach youth how to safely create graffiti art.
“It can get kids to think outside of the box and try new things,” Groom said. “Maybe they have a knack for it and they’ll be inspired by it. If they don’t, at least they can say they did it.”
Artist Justin Groom helped children spray paint a tent that the Lealman Exchange uses for events.