STEAM night at St. Mary’s celebrates creativity, curiosity and imagination

Kristen Sheardown.

The recent STEAM night event at St. Mary’s School was a tremendous success, bringing together families, staff and community members in a joyful celebration of creativity, curiosity and imagination.

The school was buzzing with excitement as families explored how science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) are used in important ways every day.

Inside the school, visitors were impressed by creative and interactive stations set up by Mark Gilmour, Garrett Hunt, Lauren Jones and Steve Mindsor of Compass Minerals.

Other stations were set up by Mark Van Diepenbeek, and Mark Yule of Vestas Canadian Wind, Eric Van Wyk, owner of Van Wyk Electrical, Bethany Davidson of Bethany Ann Art, Mel Craig from Heubner-Ridder Veterinary Hospital, Kristen Sheardown from Medical Imaging at AMGH and Mark Flanagan from the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship and High Skills Major programs.

Keith King brought his knowledge of Stage Lighting and Brendan Couture used his skills as a Sound Technician to fill the gym with fun lights and great music.

Under sunny skies, families met with First Responders Jamie Stanley, Amanda Smith, Spencer Vail and Katelyn Little. The chance to see the OPP cruisier, ambulance and fire engine up close was a highlight for guests of all ages.

Staff served a delicious pizza dinner, and everyone enjoyed a free ice cream cone, generously donated by Mardelle King of Cakes, Cookies and Coffee.

Parent council thanks Steve Regier of Lakeshore Construction who donated his time and used math and engineering to construct a gigantic Gaga Ball pit. This new addition to the school yard was broken in on STEAM night and will be enjoyed for years to come.

A big thanks also goes to the rest of parent council members for their house spent planning and hosting, and all the other volunteers who made this night such a wonderful community building event.

Erin Van Diepenbeek is a member of parent council at St. Mary’s Catholic in Goderich