[New post] Gadgets, gizmos shine at STEAM festival
Jordan Baker posted: "For students with a huge love for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math — STEAM, for newcomers — Solano College was the place to be on Saturday. The college, Benicia Makerspace and the Solano County Office of Education collaborated for the Sol" Times-Herald
For students with a huge love for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math — STEAM, for newcomers — Solano College was the place to be on Saturday.
The college, Benicia Makerspace and the Solano County Office of Education collaborated for the Solano Community College's annual STEAM Discovery Festival — an event dedicated to inspire students interested in those fields.
Solano County Office of Education Director Lilibeth Pinpin says the festival is "promoting innovation and collaboration."
"Our community doesn't have as many opportunities compared to the rest of the Bay Area. There are so many things kids can learn. That's why we are putting together all this," said Pinpin. "We do not only have high-tech things, we have weaving, sewing machines, and jewelry creation processes. Also, we want to show that STEAM can be fun. We want to make sure the kids see themselves in a career STEAM or combination of everything."
Victory Chaney, owner of Vic Creations, has built a plethora of inventions — including a floating castle, backpacking banjo, LED cube and graphing altimeter.
Chaney says it's "in his blood" to create. He says he wants to inspire children "to make stuff."
"Try to make anything and find out if it's fun to do," said Chaney. "Necessity is the mother of invention."
Michael Petrellese, with Valero, demonstrates a pump process during the STEAM Discovery Festival at Solano Community College in Fairfield on Saturday. (Chris Riley/Times-Herald)
Overflowing with different types of inventions, gadgets, and gizmos, the STEAM Discovery Festival was colorful with devices: Light fixtures made from pipes, 3D Head Scanning, hydra robotics, a laser maze, claw machines, and robotics directed from game controllers. There were multiple interesting machines that created enthusiasm from people of all ages.
Cubit Education founder Jason Gouw created a Paper Rocket machine. This invention seemed to be a favorite of the younger children.
Each of the vendors, programs and institutions participating in the STEAM Discovery Festival had a similar development sentiment — trial and error. From the claw machine to a floating castle, the engineers were adamant that if at first you don't succeed, well, you know ...
The Academy of 21st Century Learning's founder, staff, and supportive family members were in attendance. 21st Century is a STEAM private school for young children in Vacaville. Founder Barbara Dwyer believes the STEAM Discovery Festival is "very important and wonderful," not just for college students, but young children.
"Creativity takes grit," said Dwyer. "If you look at what children are going to need tomorrow and then come to the STEAM festival, this is where it's going."
A few clubs and associations from Solano Community College participated: Rotaract, Financial Aid, Outreach, Entrepreneur Club, and Keyboarding.
Participating businesses were: Berbawy Makers, Vallejo Gem and Mineral Society, Learn to Solder, Valero Exhibit: How a Refinery Works, The In's and Out's of Weaving, 4-H Club, Science Magic, StepMania, Benicia's High School, Vic's Creations, Solano County Public Library, R2 Builders Club, Fun with Oobleck, Renewable Energy for Boats, Automotive Technology, and Advanced Manufacturing and Automation.
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