The Green Machine’s second-annual STEMtoberfest will take place the last full week of October at People Serving People (PSP), a Minneapolis-based transitional-housing facility. The goal of STEMtoberfest is to focus on bringing FIRST and STEM, particularly introductory engineering design and build skills, to children who have limited opportunities to join FIRSTteams.
“Team members teach kids at the shelter about engineering and STEM, and give them an opportunity to apply what they learn using FIRST LEGO League robotics and FIRST LEGO League Junior kits,” said Allison S., one of the Green Machine’s 2017 co-captains. STEMtoberfest offers a great opportunity for kids to learn more about robotics, all while giving those children a chance to engage with older students who have experience with FIRST. Two classrooms will be used simultaneously this year, with older students challenged to build a robot that will complete at least two missions in the new “Animal Allies” game, while younger students will also face a challenge introducing them to the FIRST LEGO League Junior “Creature Craze.”
“In addition to the (EV3) robots, we run another camp especially for younger kids (K-3rd), where they will be building models to complete a set of missions, too,” said Brandon S., 1816s leader at this year’s PSP STEMtoberfest STEM immersion camp.
In addition to being a fun opportunity for kids living at PSP, STEMtoberfest is also a way for Team 1816 to give back to the community. “It’s incredible to see how much the kids there enjoy being able to be a part of this,” said Allison. “I have been a part of STEMtoberfest in the past, and it’s been such a great learning experience for me, too.
Co-captain Owen S. commented on the importance of this event on the often overlooked communities that it affects. “It’s important for our team –and others– to spread awareness of STEM to kids beyond our local community,” he said.
Overall, STEMtoberfest is a very rewarding experience. “I love that we are bringing [the kids] an opportunity that they would otherwise not be able to afford. Every year the kids enjoy seeing us come back and I enjoy being there for them. I really hope that the rest of the team members that are going to PSP this year will find out they feel the same,” said Brandon.
This year’s weeklong STEMtoberfest will wrap-up with a STEM-themed Halloween Party, with hands-on activity stations provided by The Works, Bloomington, and staffed by The Green Machine members. Costumes are encouraged, on the part of residents and volunteers, and we have heard there will be an appearance by 1816’s Little Hornet mascot. With help from PSP, the team hopes to continue to make a difference for years to come.