The second annual District-Wide STEAM Showcase was a big success.
More than 500 students, parents, STEAM professionals and community members participated in the second annual Los Alamitos Unified district-wide STEAM Showcase, which was provided by LAEF (Los Alamitos Education Foundation) on May 21.
Students of all ages created amazing projects that incorporated science, technology, engineering, the arts and math.
The second annual District-Wide STEAM Showcase was a big success.
More than 500 students, parents, STEAM professionals and community members participated in the second annual Los Alamitos Unified district-wide STEAM Showcase, which was provided by LAEF (Los Alamitos Education Foundation) on May 21.
Students of all ages created amazing projects that incorporated science, technology, engineering, the arts and math.
There is a nation-wide movement to bring more of these subjects to our schools and to inspire children to pursue careers in these fields.
“Beyond the Showcase itself, this initiative has helped to build STEAM in Los Al USD with a growing Engineering program, a winning Robotics team, vibrant and expanding science clubs, robust partnerships with local businesses, an amazing GriffinTech club, and so much more. With this important work, we are truly helping our students to ignite unlimited possibilities and put Los Al on the map for STEAM,” said Los Alamitos High School Assistant Principal Kenneth Lopour.
The STEAM Showcase took place from 10 a.m. to 12 noon in and around the Los Alamitos High School Gym. Student projects included 3D printing, robotics, psychology, computer programming, biology, chemistry, food science, video production, product design and much more.
Bill Cusato of Boeing provided a keynote presentation that was both informative and inspiring for all STEAM Showcase participants, families and community members.
He focused on the importance of including the arts in science, technology, engineering and math because many educational institutions focus on STEM and leave out the arts.
Cusato is the Director of the Customer Support Operations Center Integration Team for Commercial Aviation Services at The Boeing Company.
Students and spectators also visited 15 STEAM Professionals’ booths and interactive stations.
Booths included Alamitos Eye Care, Algalita Marine Research, Boeing, Build-It Workspace, Ela Leitner Graphic Design, Northrup Grumman, Play-Well Teknologies, Pioneer Medical Group, Recess Revolution, The Reptile Zoo, Southern California Brain Center, Southern California Edison, Virgin Galactic, Watersafe Swim School and The Youth Center.
The LAEF STEAM initiative is funded by generous donations to the 2015-16 King and Queen of Hearts campaign.
It ended on February 19 at the coronation gala and raised over $95,000, which includes a $5000 matching grant from the Rossmoor Homeowners Association. The Tesoro Foundation also supports LAEF’s STEAM initiative and middle school Robotics program.
The Los Alamitos Education Foundation (LAEF) works with all nine school sites to provide STEAM fairs and the STEAM Showcase.
LAEF is the non-profit partner of Los Alamitos Unified School District. LAEF enhances educational excellence in our community by providing after-school and summer enrichment programs to Pre-K to 12th grade students.
For more information, visit www.LAEF4Kids.org/steam or call (562) 799-4700 x80424 today.
