On left, Principal Melissa St. Joy addresses Emma Hutchison Elementary STEM Day volunteers, staff, and students.
Pictured right, a Delta Volunteer teaches students about solar-powered cars.
From creating their very own seed balls in the garden, building solar-powered cars and snap circuits, to learning about the science behind their school’s powerful Vitamix blenders– STEM Day at Emma Hutchison Elementary School had it all!
On Friday, November 7th, the Captain Planet Foundation team partnered with Delta Air Lines and long-time PLG school, Emma Hutchison Elementary, in Atlanta, Georgia to help deliver a successful STEM Day. This year’s theme,“The Future of STEM,” highlighted how science, technology, engineering, and math come alive in school gardens and outdoor learning spaces – and how hands-on learning can awaken all types of career aspirations for students.
“This is a real show of community in action, centered all around gardening,” said Instructional Coach and STEM Day organizer Dr. Katie Woodbridge.
STEM Stations Abound
Delta Air Lines volunteers led five different hands-on STEM activities in their outdoor courtyard.
Stations included Solar-Powered Cars, Microscopes, Mealworms, Snap Circuits, and Makey Makey Boards.
Groups of students rotated among stations, creating memorable and fun science lessons for all!
Christine Boucher, CPF Board Member and Chief Compliance Officer at Delta Air Lines, addressed the audience of volunteers, educators, and students at the STEM Day. She spoke about Delta Air Lines’ commitment to supporting school-wide initiatives such as Project Learning Garden.
“At Delta, giving back to the community is part of who we are. We want to support the communities where we live, work, and serve,” said Boucher.
Pollinator Seed Balls
Outside at the school’s amphitheater, Captain Planet Foundation’s Veronica and Adam Sichel led students in making their very own seed balls. With one part Kellogg’s soil, 2 parts clay, and one part pollinator seeds, students learned the importance of attracting pollinating creatures to ensure the health of their green spaces at home and at school.
Induction v Friction: Tomato Soup Tasting
Inside Hutchison Elementary’s STEM Laboratory, Captain Planet Foundation’s CEO Leesa Carter-Jones and Graphic Design Coordinator Margeaux McClelland taught students the science behind their school’s Vitamix blender and induction burners — both included in their PLG Mobile Cooking Cart.
With tomatoes, garlic, basil, veggie stock, and croutons as the ingredients, students tasted the difference between a soup heated by Vitamix’s powerful blade friction versus the electrified magnetic heat of the induction burner.
Students agreed it was a delicious and garden-healthy learning experiment!
Closing Remarks
To close out an incredible day, Principal Melissa St. Joy emphasized the importance of partnerships and expressed her gratitude for the educators and volunteers who made Emma Hutchison’s STEM Day possible.
“We know that schools don’t work unless there are partnerships that support them,” said Principal St. Joy. “Today, you helped students by making their learning come alive.”