After school clubs are a great way for students to connect with each other on topics that interest them in a safe and supportive environment that allows for some structure but a whole lot of creativity. For students at Central School, the first year of STEAM Club brought young engineers and artists together with incredible results.

STEM teacher Vicky Wilkins and Art Teacher Madison Ellers describe themselves as “besties” and wanted to run a club together. After the success of Art Club in the fall, Ellers was excited to combine the art side of things with the world of engineering. Thanks to a grant from CITGO, the club was able to use dedicated robot kits that provided the basis for the projects that involved robot kits, creative energy, and a whole lot of student ideas.  

“The club is almost completely self led by the students,” said Ellers. “The kids who wanted to do the art side came into the hallway and we built an arena with a racetrack, a pond, and other elements that the robots could use. The robots sense color so we used a lot of literal red tape to show where robots couldn’t go.”

The club met for 10 weekly sessions, eight of which were used to build, test, and work with one week dedicated to cleanup and one for a robots and ice cream party. For each one of those hours, the only limits were the students themselves as they explored different options and tried new things. 

With available supplies for 25 students, the club was immediately at capacity. Young engineers were able to use robot kits and do free building to build items like helicopters and motorcycles, as well as stretching their creative muscles to come up with their own creations. 
“The kids really led it themselves and I didn’t have to say no at all,” said Wilkins. “We just floated around the room letting them do their thing. I don’t help students with a build, I usually buddy them up with another student and they can problem solve together.”

The club used VEX robotics kits, which are used widely in the high school and middle school world, giving these fourth and fifth graders the chance to work with the kind of technology they will encounter later in life as they participate in STEAM activities. 

“It was so cool to see collaboration between the kids because they were able to work as a team and come up with what they do and assign tasks based on that,” said Ellers. “They would ask for supplies and then go grab them. It was really cool to see them completely take over!”

Building robots is not an easy task, the kits are a little bit like a LEGO instruction packet with all the parts needed and some guidance, but a lot of the problem solving and troubleshooting is up to the students. 

“We had a really good mix of kids who are leaders and some who wanted to do the creative side and let their imaginations run wild,” said Wilkins. “My job is to get kids excited about engineering and I always tell them that there is no stress in STEM because it’s all about trying, learning, and trying again.”

That motto was definitely seen throughout the classroom as confusion was met with collaboration and creativity was strongly encouraged. 
“My favorite thing about the STEAM club was that you can do whatever your heart desires,” said fifth grader Audrey. “Building stuff and creating is the bottom line in this club. I really don't like to be told what to do in clubs, so when I can just work at my own pace it is so nice!”

“My favorite thing about STEAM club is that you can build anything you want, plus you have the two coolest teachers to help you,” added Mark. “My advice for future club members is to try to build something that is not on the computer, not something around you, try to build something in your head!”

For the two teachers, the club is a testament to their chosen careers and how getting to experience different ways of thinking and problem solving is an important part of the educational experience. 

“Our subjects teach life skills like how to overcome when we make mistakes and how to persist and every single kid needs that,” said Ellers. "I have fallen in love with this job because I get to create with my favorite people and my space is so full of creativity and self expression.”

Because the club was such a hit, there are plans to bring it back next year with ideas already churning for what the project could be. The arena for robots that was built by the club is also being used almost every day in the STEAM classroom, which gives students a great sense of pride. 

“Kids will walk by and say ‘I made that” and they are so excited,” said Wilkins. “My seventh grade science teacher really inspired me to become a teacher. A lot of times the kids who really shine in our classes may not shine in a regular classroom, but they really thrive and are able to flex their muscles in a club. I always tell the kids that nerds rule the world!”

That is really what the club is about, giving students the chance to grow in their learning, try new things and be able to feel like a real artist or engineer even for an hour a week.