Praneeta Mahajan
Hamilton, July 12, 2023
Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs are comprehensive interdisciplinary studies that students of all ages can learn. Teaching STEM can encourage exploration and curiosity in children, as well as teach them about the world around them in a fun, hands-on manner.
This weekend, for the third consecutive year, the STEM activity program is scheduled by the STEM Club in Auckland to be on July 15, 2023, at Mt Albert War Memorial, Auckland from 9 am to 4 pm.
The workshops are organised by Stephen Kalapala, who is a Mechanical Engineer by profession and lives in Mt Albert with his wife Lakshmi and daughter Freya.
In addition to his tutoring in mathematics, he is gracious to organise annual STEM events for children, completely free of charge, during the month of July.
Talking to Indian Newslink, Mr Kalapala said, “As a passionate educator and STEM enthusiast, I believe that engaging children in STEM activities can be a fun and exciting way to instil important skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity.”
“Through my STEM programs, I aim to spark children’s curiosity and interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. I have developed a range of activities that are designed to be interactive, hands-on, and age-appropriate. These include building structures, conducting science experiments, and participating in quizzes on the latest space developments such as James Webb (topic for this year).”
Details about the Program
The event comprises several engaging activities for the children. There is a ‘Science Fair’ where children will be able to showcase their experimental setups to substantiate their hypotheses. There will also be a ‘STEM quiz’ using Kahoot, an interactive platform, which the children thoroughly enjoy as they compete to attain the highest score on the leaderboard.
This would be accompanied by a STEM challenge for two distinct age groups. Participants under the age of 10 will have the opportunity to play and construct bees with Straws, and their work is evaluated based on the ingenuity of their designs and the quality of their constructions. For participants above the age of 10, we form teams and provide them with a limited number of popsicle sticks and other resources to construct a bridge. These bridges will then be subjected to stress testing, and the creators of the sturdiest bridge will be rewarded.
This year, there is an event specifically for parents who attend to support their children. The objective of this event is to raise awareness about the presence of pseudo-scientific myths that often pervade our daily lives.
STEM education essential
Mr Kalapala said, “I believe that STEM education is crucial in today’s world, where technology is advancing rapidly and the demand for STEM-related jobs is on the rise. By exposing children to STEM activities early on, we can inspire them to pursue careers in these fields and equip them with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in the 21st century.”
More details can be accessed on the ‘STEM Club Auckland profile on Instagram and Facebook. The club operates under the charitable organization ‘STEM Education and Innovation,’ which has been granted approved status by the IRD.
The event relies on the support of sponsors and donors to successfully organise these STEM events and aims to remain free of charge for children, with the sheer intention of inspiring children and equipping them with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in the modern world.
Praneeta Mahajan is an Indian Newslink reporter based in Hamilton.
