Nearly 150 participants enjoyed science, art and numerous activities

 Children and parents learn about fluid dynamics and how water flows around barriers with an interactive activity. Photo by Marty Cheek

By Marty Cheek

Rockets built by children shot into the blue sky over the Morgan Hill Community Center on a recent hot summer afternoon. The  miniature missiles were a hit with families at the inaugural South Valley Explore STEAM Fair.

Organizers and attendees alike hailed the free Aug. 4 event as a resounding success. The fair aimed to spark interest in science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics among local youth. It drew nearly 150 participants, far surpassing initial expectations.

Susan Hines, director of the nonprofit South Valley Science and Engineering Initiative, expressed her delight at the turnout.

“We met and exceeded our expectations in the number of attendees, which was wonderful,” she said. “We were absolutely thrilled by the way it worked out.”

The fair, designed for children from pre-K to 12th grade, offered 14 different hands-on activities that showcased the interconnectedness of STEAM disciplines.

From creating “kinetic toys” with local artists to experimenting with water quality and building paper rockets, the event provided a diverse range of engaging experiences for young minds.

One of the highlights of the day was the enthusiasm displayed by the young participants. As the fair was closing down, Hines recounted overhearing an elementary-aged girl tell her mother, “This was the best day of my life.” This sentiment was echoed by many, with children and parents alike fully engaged in the activities.

Hines attributed the event’s success to the collaborative effort of various community members. Volunteers from the Kiwanis Club, Gilroy Early College Academy  students, and Morgan Hill high school students all contributed to making the day memorable.

Parents stayed actively involved, with many joining their children in the activities, she said.

“The kids could take the lead and show their moms and dads they could do different activities,” Hines observed, highlighting the event’s ability to foster family engagement in STEAM learning.

One of the most popular activities was building and launching paper rockets in the Community Center’s rose garden. Betsabe Fernandez, a senior at Gilroy High School, volunteered at this station as part of the South County Youth Task Force team.

“We were helping them build little rockets they could put in the tubes where they release air pressure so the rockets can fly up,” she explained. “The kids were learning how to seal their rockets and make them tight so they can fly higher and higher. They built little wings on the side so the rockets could go straighter as they flew.”

Also part of the team, Abigail Fernandez, an incoming sophomore at GECA, also helped wannabe rocketeers learn rocket science.

“It helps them know about processes in the world,” she said. “Helping them do activities like this at a young age will help them do better in school.”

Seven-year-old Alyssa Gubbara from Morgan Hill was among the enthusiastic participants. Her rocket soared so high it cleared the fence.

“You upgrade it when you see it’s not going far enough,” Gubbara explained, demonstrating an impressive grasp of the scientific method. “What I do is upgrade it to use more tape so the air doesn’t get out and it pushes it far enough so you can make it fly.”

Looking ahead, plans are already in motion for the next STEAM Fair, scheduled for Saturday, March 1, at the Britton Middle School Student Union building. Organizers aim to involve more school groups and clubs from the Morgan Hill Unified School District, further expanding the event’s reach and impact.

Hines is actively seeking committee members to help shape future events. “I would love to have community members who have families with children who would be able to advise what they would like to see for their kids,” she said. Hines also expressed interest in including junior or senior high school students to provide their perspective.

The organizers are particularly keen on expanding their reach to Gilroy. “We do want to have more Gilroy involvement,” Hines said. “We would love to have someone from Gilroy to promote the fair there.”

The South Valley Explore STEAM Fair operates under the umbrella of the Morgan Hill Community Foundation. Those interested in learning more about the fair or supporting its mission should visit www.southvalleyscience.org.