STEAMfest Returns: After a COVID hiatus

by Raffi Darrow

After a 2-year COVID hiatus, St. Pete STEAMfest opens its gates for its popular annual event on Jan. 28 at Shorecrest Preparatory School in St. Petersburg. On a Saturday in January, area families can enjoy a variety of family-friendly activities centered on the study of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM).

Shorecrest, a preschool-12th grade independent school in St. Pete, has sponsored and hosted the event since its inception in 2016. “STEAM subjects and projects are a part of what we do every day at Shorecrest,” says Dr. Anna Baralt, Shorecrest Director of Educational Technology and STEAMfest Committee Chair. “We launched STEAMfest as an outlet for sharing this kind of engaging, experiential learning with the greater community.” The community has embraced STEAMfest, which draws families from all over the Tampa Bay Area as well as community partners from other educational organizations. STEAMfest 2020 welcomed exhibitions from Busch Gardens, Great Explorations, The James

Museum, Imagine Museum, The Wonder Studio and iD Tech Camps, to name a few. Children excitedly engaged in each learning activity, breaking only to get snacks from one of the food trucks on site. An attendee from 2020 shared feedback with the organizers, saying, “Wow, what an incredible event! My children had such a great time exploring and playing. It got them really excited about learning these topics. The campus and setup were beautiful, too. Thank you so much for an amazing and FREE event!” The 2023 festival is free for all attendees. Pre-registration online is recommended, and guests are asked to consider bringing a non-perishable food item or personal hygiene supplies to benefit the St. Pete Free Clinic. STEAMfest 2023 features 35+ booths for children in preschool-8th grade, including robotics demonstrations, arts and crafts, design and engineering challenges, coding app experiences, and lots of surprises! The event will be held both indoors and outdoors and feature a dedicated area for younger children aged 3-6, led by faculty of The Experiential School of Tampa Bay (Shorecrest’s 3-, 4-, and 5-year-old program), and educators from The Wonder Studio, a popular local playbased, multi-sensory program for toddlers and their caregivers.

Hillsborough Virtual K-12 offers personalized learning in a structured, yet flexible environment. It is a school choice option in which students learn in a digital space using a web-based curriculum with highly-qualified teachers from Hillsborough County. Students can take part in athletics and extracurricular activities at their zoned school.

Hillsdale Christian Academy is a school that seeks to minister to families across the Tampa Bay area by reaching students intellectually, physically, spiritually and socially. We combine rigorous curriculum with an educated and loving staff to give your student the best educational experience possible to the end of producing successful students for the glory of God.

Holy Trinity Lutheran School is a co-educational school located in the heart of South Tampa. Founded in 1958, HTLS offers an enriching and rewarding academic education in a loving and safe Christian environment. Our mission is to provide Christ-centered academic excellence and care for the whole child that equips them for lifelong learning and service.

Get ready to experience a school unlike anything you have encountered! Keystone Prep High School is a non-profit private school located in Odessa, just outside Tampa, with small classes and individualized support. Our mission is to not only help students achieve their full potential, but also reach pinnacles of success they never thought possible.

A Christ-honoring atmosphere for preschool through high school, LOLCS trains students to develop and grow spiritually, intellectually, socially and physically. We offer a fully accredited, balanced program that emphasizes spiritual life, challenging academics for college preparation and opportunities for students to explore their interests and talents in fine arts and athletics.

LiFT's mission is to inspire and empower people with neurodiversity to learn, thrive and succeed. LiFT offers low teacher to student ratios, individualized education plans and specific accommodations aligning with each individual student's needs, workforce training and more so students successfully complete high school and increase their capacity for independence.

LINCOLN ELEMENTARY MAGNET (IB)

We prepare students to meet the challenges of world citizenship with confidence, imagination and integrity. Students can study global cultures and develop an open and curious mind. Students engage in music and arts programs, Odyssey of the Mind, Robotics Team, inquiry-based learning centers, student action/service learning, world languages and more. Enrollment: 1,101 Grades: K-12 Tuition: FREE

Enrollment: 178 Class-Size: 11-20 Grades: age 2 - grade 12 Tuition: $180/week - $8,400/year

Enrollment: 200 Class-Size: 16 Grades: PreK-grade 5 Tuition: $6,785

Enrollment: 67 Class-Size: 8-15 Grades: 9-12 Tuition: $19,900 - $25,000

Enrollment: 470 Class-Size: 10-20 Grades: PreK3-12 Tuition: $6,750-$7,250

Enrollment: 120 Class-Size: 10-20 Grades: K-12 Tuition: $11,500-$13,500

Enrollment: 521 Grades: K-5 Tuition: FREE

LLT Academy & LLT Academy South Bay are independent, not-for-profit, K-8 public charter schools. LLT Academies are established Leader in Me schools and have a whole-child approach to learning with well-rounded foundational academics as well as fine arts, music and PE classes for all grade levels. Enrollment: 1,350 total for both schools Class-Size: Small class sizes Grades: K-8 Tuition: FREE

LOCKHART ELEMENTARY MAGNET (CREATIVE SCIENCE CENTRE)

Students learn using the latest technology, such as STEM tools, LEGO robotics and flight simulators. The national Project Lead the Way program engages students in hands-on activities, projects and problems that are reflective of real-world challenges. Students engage with robotics experiences, engineering challenges, outdoor learning and wildlife habitats. Enrollment: 340 Grades: K-5 Tuition: FREE

LOMAX ELEMENTARY MAGNET (GIFTED TALENT ACADEMY)

Students are active thinking and learning citizens, engaging their minds with Math Olympiad, TiViTz, chess, Future Problem Solvers and Odyssey of the Mind. We embrace the arts with World Drumming, violin and Little Kids Rock; build with LEGO and VEX Robotics; and grow through Student Ambassadors and National Honor Society. Enrollment: 279 Grades: K-5 Tuition: FREE

MACFARLANE PARK ELEMENTARY MAGNET (IB)

As the #1 Elementary Magnet School in America in 2020, we offer students a unique and unbelievable experience. We prepare students to meet the challenges of world citizenship with confidence, imagination and integrity. Students study global cultures, engage in music and arts programs, Odyssey of the Mind, Robotics Team, inquiry-based learning centers, student action/service learning, world languages and more. Enrollment: 372 Grades: K-5 Tuition: FREE

MARSHALL MIDDLE MAGNET (IB CANDIDATE)

Marshall IB students are guided by the International Baccalaureate program. The school is an IB Candidate School with authorization on the close horizon. Students can engage in STEM, robotics, culinary arts, Math League and AVID college readiness. Optional Scholar Quest high school credit courses offer additional rigor. Enrollment: 1,084 Grades: 6-8 Tuition: FREE

Private Schools educating children from 3 months through 5th Grade. Our program includes Early Reading Program, Foreign Languages, hands-on equipment, extra-curricular activities and are open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Come see why we are unique! Enrollment: varies Class-Size: varies Grades: ages 3 months through grade 5 Tuition: $9,400-$9,800

Mother Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School is a private elementary school serving K-8th. We provide a rigorous curriculum in a nurturing Christ-centered environment. We foster service to others, instill self-discipline, promote the growth of the whole child, and prepare students for life-long learning. Enrollment: 430 Class-Size: 25 Grades: K-8 Tuition: $7,225-$8,595