Thousands of K-12 Students Attend College’s First STEM Fest

Young innovators enjoy a day of drones, robotic arms, and more as the College partners with alumnus to bring STEM concepts to metro Atlanta students.

Written by: Jason Maderer (maderer@gatech.edu)

Photos: Kemi Griffin

Sunday, 22 September 2024

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students with surprised look while looking at experiment

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Grayson Thomas had it all figured out within minutes. First, he was going to fly the drones, then build molecules with pasta and marshmallows. The next stop would be the remote-controlled cars.

“I knew today would be fun once I walked in and saw what was here,” said Grayson, a fourth grader who attends Frey Elementary in Acworth.

Grayson was among the 2,000 or so K-12 students who attended the College of Engineering’s first STEM Fest Sept. 21. The day of discovery featured more than 60 interactive stations, exhibits, and activities designed to teach students about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts.

Grayson and his mom, Nicole, were among the first inside the festival in McCamish Pavilion. After taking their seats and looking at the STEM booths spread across Georgia Tech’s basketball court, Grayson quickly made his plan.

“The organizers were giving instructions and making speeches, but Grayson was in his own world, locked in, and already picking out what he wanted to do,” Nicole Thomas said. “His dad and I have STEM degrees, and we’re always looking for opportunities to expose him to STEM opportunities.”

STEM Fest marked the beginning of a partnership between the College and STEM Global Action (SGA). The New Orleans-based organization is led by Calvin Mackie, a three-time graduate of Georgia Tech’s George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering. Since 2013, Mackie and his team have organized STEM learning events for more than 160,000 students around the nation.

student uses remote control to control crane

Grayson Thomas learns about pulleys and balance during STEM Fest.

Mackie and Georgia Tech hosted a smaller event on campus in May as a test run to gauge the level of interest in Atlanta. About 500 students attended that “STEM Saturday,” suggesting there was plenty of appetite for Saturday’s festival.

Organizers expected about 1,200 people to attend. More than 2,300 signed up within days of registration opening.

“It’s fantastic to see all these kids from every corner of our city, and beyond, learning about STEM and having a great time,” said Damon Williams, the College’s associate dean for inclusive excellence. “We have a responsibility to ensure that K-12 students in metro Atlanta are introduced to STEM concepts and what Georgia Tech has to offer. Today is the next step toward achieving that.”

Mackie sees the enthusiasm every week. He and his team travel across the country hosting events, bringing their robots, magnets, wind tunnels, and other demonstrations to young people. They were in Florence, South Carolina, and New Orleans the week before Georgia Tech. From Atlanta, they’re headed to San Diego and Baton Rouge.

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A student in a hardhat rides on a glider device at STEM fest

kids attach marshmallows and pasta to learn about stem

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Mackie developed the SGA concept about a decade ago after he and his wife set up learning kits in their New Orleans garage for their son and his friends. Their collective excitement showed Mackie that many kids never get the chance to have hands-on learning experiences.

“All over our country, adults put footballs and basketballs in kids’ hands before they’re four years old. We need to do the same thing with STEM,” Mackie said. “Our exhibits allow kids to figure things out. We don’t show them all the steps. Instead, we watch them learn.”

SGA brought all the materials and exhibits from New Orleans. Students from Georgia Tech, Spelman, Morehouse, and other Atlanta universities staffed each booth.

Mack Curtis touches a sheep lung.

Atlanta third grader Mack Curtis had already controlled a dancing robot when he tentatively reached out to touch sheep lungs.

“I thought they would be hard, but they felt like slime,” Mack said. “It was gross!”

South Cobb High School’s Theori Harris already knows she wants to be an aerospace engineer when she grows up. The 14-year-old attendee from Austell is focused on a STEM career because she loves putting things together.

“My mom told me STEM Fest would be great because it’s at Georgia Tech,” Theori said. “Everything here looks really advanced. This is much better than doing my homework on a Saturday morning.”

The College of Engineering already has two more “STEM Saturdays” with SGA on the books for next summer. Because of Saturday’s overwhelming response, Williams is hoping to add another this spring.

Mackie called it a “dream come true” bringing SGA to his alma mater. Much like Grayson, who anxiously eyed the exhibits before the event even started, Mackie knew STEM Fest was a success before anyone walked through the doors.

“I was walking outside McCamish, high-fiving kids in line, asking ‘Who’s ready to do some STEM?’” Mackie said. “One little boy spoke up and said he was ready. I reached into my bag, gave him an SGA truck and his eyes lit up. I saw the excitement.

“We had already succeeded.”

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