COLLIER COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
By Jennifer Kupiec
CCPS Steam Conference Inspires
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n a packed auditorium with the lights dimmed low, a burst of flame came toward the crowd. The audience screamed in delight as Kate the Chemist, a.k.a. Dr. Kate Biberdorf, demonstrated which was a better fuel: flour or cornstarch. One by one, Kate the Chemist called student volunteers up to the stage to help with her experiments, a moment they will not soon forget. “A girl role model, a chemist … to ignite an entire auditorium of people,” said Collier County Public Schools (CCPS) Superintendent Dr. Kamela Patton, while explaining the strategy behind flying in Kate the Chemist from the University of Texas. Think Saturday morning TV show for kids combined with chemistry lessons, everything from how to make gummy worms and volcanos of slime to thunder clouds billowing from the stage. This year’s STEAM Conference drew a crowd of more than 1,800: students, parents, CCPS staff, district school board members, and other community leaders. “Eight years of making this even bigger and better, but most important, it’s the inspiration for kids,” said Patton. In addition to more than 50 interactive exhibits, school district staff rolled out four enhancements this year to the annual gathering. An expanded ARTwalk showcased works from students. Middle school entrepreneurship students all wore bright orange shirts along the Marketplace corridor where they pitched and sold their products to potential customers to create revenue to build more products. Around the corner from the Marketplace, Palmetto Ridge High School students enrolled in the culinary arts course sold snacks and refreshments at The Bistro Café. The fourth new feature put attention on the performing arts with a musical and dance performance showcase. Several years ago, Collier County Public Schools added the letter “A” to commonly used “STEM” in order to emphasize “arts” curriculum and activities which enable students to activate both sides of their brains. The STEAM Conference is also a time to think beyond graduation. The day exposed students and parents to a variety of
career pathways being taught at CCPS middle and high schools through NAF Academies and Project Lead the Way, which helps teach in-demand skills. For example, students in the Academy of Engineering mentored younger students in VEX Robotics, oceaneering with remotely operated vehicles, and designing clubhouses in 3D. “This is my third year in the Naples High Academy of Engineering and my third year at the STEAM Conference volunteering,” said Naples High School student Logan Szittai. “I just love seeing all of these little kids learning about engineering and the different things here.” “You’ve got these kids learning, but then there’s something else here about this community,” added Dr. Biberdorf. “You’ve fostered that mentoring aspect, that pipeline. It’s a community, it feels like a family, and I’m so grateful to be part of it.”
Covenant Church of Naples Mom’s Morning Out Providing a loving environment for children while offering parents and caregivers a needed break
Session 6 Starts April 8 Mon & Wed or Tues & Thu (one-day option available) 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Ages 2-4 years by Jan. 1
6926 Trail Blvd., Naples, FL
239.597.3464 Visit www.covenantnaples.com/Moms-Morning-Out NEAPOLITANfamily • March 2019
Hurry! Space is limited. neafamily.com
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