Claypool Elementary School

 

Amanda Waddle

May 19, 2025

WARSAW, IN - Claypool Elementary was buzzing with creativity and collaboration as students, staff and community partners came together for the 2nd Annual STEAMFEST on Tuesday, May 13. The event transformed the school into a hub of hands-on learning and real-world exploration across Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM).

Throughout the day, students participated in STEAM challenges, immersive projects and guest speaker sessions that brought STEAM careers to life. Guest speakers represented a wide range of fields:

Joel Popenfoose – Police Technology

Jeremy Corson – Beekeeping & Ecosystems (“Bees-Bees-Bees”)

Tracey Dingle – LEGO Design & Engineering

Brooke Friedberg – Orthopedics & Career Exploration

Dan Cripe – Architecture

Ryan Miller – Engineering

Matt Alexander – Welding & Precision Machine Technology

Students also participated in interactive pollinator and planting activities led by Cindy Gackenheimer, Deb McClintock, Lu Christoffel, Beth Harris and Kay Pylant. These hands-on experiences helped students understand the vital role of pollinators in ecosystems and gave them an opportunity to get their hands dirty.

From engineering challenges and robotics to career exploration and environmental science, STEAMFEST was full of meaningful and memorable learning experiences. Classrooms became hands-on makerspaces. “STEAMFEST is an incredible opportunity for our students to connect learning with real-world applications,” said STEM Instructional Coach Dan Graney.

Principal Kristin Sederberg added, “By engaging in hands-on STEM and STEAM activities and hearing from real-world professionals, we hope to spark curiosity and inspire the next generation of innovators.”

Claypool Elementary remains committed to fostering a culture of curiosity and innovation and STEAMFEST 2025 was a powerful example of learning that inspires and prepares students for the future.