At Valley Park Elementary, learning doesn’t stop when the school day ends. STEAM Night, which focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math, brought together students, families, staff and community partners for an evening filled with hands-on discovery and engaged learning.
The event was a true team effort. Elementary Assistant Principal Mrs. Kaily Butz and Director of College, Career, and Success-Ready Programming Meghan Aydelott worked together to plan and lead the night. High school students played an important role too, helping run stations and guiding younger learners, creating a powerful experience that spanned across the Valley Park School District campus. ““We were excited to host this event for our Valley Park Community to help foster a curiosity and a love of learning. STEAM activities provide our students with a great opportunity for hands-on learning experiences,” said Meghan Aydelott. “These experiences help even our youngest learners start to see themselves as scientists, engineers, artists, etc. We were really happy with the amount of families and students who participated and helped make this inaugural event a success.”
Students explored a wide range of interactive stations, including oobleck experiments, Skittles chromatography, paper airplane design, pipe cleaner art and coding with Makey Makeys. These activities were more than just fun; they inspired curiosity, encouraged creative problem-solving and brought classroom concepts to life in meaningful and memorable ways.
STEAM Night also strengthened the connection between school and home. When students explore new ideas, families learn alongside them. When older students step into leadership roles, it reflects the center of Valley Park’s Limitless Learning approach and the spirit of One Campus. "STEAM Night was a vibrant celebration of learning and exploration, bringing together students, families, and educators from across the community," Kaily Butz said. "From our youngest Pre-K learners to our high school innovators, everyone had the opportunity to dive into hands-on activities that sparked curiosity and showcased the exciting world of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. It was a night of discovery, creativity, and connection for all ages."
For early childhood and elementary students, events like this are especially valuable. They help spark a love of learning, build important foundational skills and help turn tricky concepts into fun, hands-on learning. These moments boost confidence, promote curiosity and show young learners that education is both exciting and fun.
See the fun for yourself—click the photo below!