Primary school’s STEAMFest unveils the world of STEAM to students

By SELENA SAID, 2026

The WIS primary school conducted its annual STEAMFest for the fourth time on April 29, 2023. The STEAMFest is a science fair-like event where primary school students showcase a project they have researched or made that falls under one of the science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) categories.

This event is optional for students in first through fifth grade. It is an opportunity to extend what they already learn in class with the primary school’s STEAM and Learning Support Specialist Tamsin Bradbury, according to Associate Head of School Natasha Bhalla.

The student participants are expected them for themselves, but those that are forgotten eventually grow into trees.

There was a lot of student interest this year, with 135 out of the 300 eligible students participating in the event and being heavily invested in the projects, according to Bradbury.

Throughout the whole process, the students develop and explore new concepts and skills, which opens up their enjoyment of STEAM.

“Even from last year to this year, we saw more students following the scientific method and really going about their projects in a more systematic way,” Bradbury said. “It really lets them develop a particular interest of theirs.” everyone in and it ends it back together as a community.”

Jonathan Blutinger, who graduated from WIS in 2010, came to speak to the students about his journey in STEAM through WIS and discuss his current occupation as a mechanical engineer in the field of food robotics. Currently, he is helping to create a machine that can cook food by assembling different elements or ingredients.

Blutinger believes that the school gave him a new perspective on engineering and design through different projects he conducted as a high school student. He also found that taking physics and math at the higher level in the IB was beneficial, as his physics teacher helped him develop a passion for science.

Blutinger thinks that being exposed to the vast world of science and technology at such a young age is extremely impactful for the students and their understanding.

“It makes the biggest difference,” Blutinger said. “It sounds like WIS is [keeping up with the technology by] including STEAMFest and doing other things like integrating different types of manufacturing technologies into the curriculum and new classes.”

In addition, the event is meant to help build up students’ confidence as they begin to recognize their potential. “[It] gives the primary school students a vision of who they could be and become,” Bhalla said.