On March 18th and 19th YCS hosted a STEM/Tech Palooza for students in grades K-5 at BES and 6-8 at EYMS. This event was led by Dr. Carol Moore and associates from the STEM West group, and funded through a state APP coding grant.
Educators from the Charlotte, Morganton and Burke County areas came together to help host this event for students that were heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene. Not only did the volunteers dedicate their time to the event, they also provided donations to students such as popcorn, LEGO kits, stuffed animals, puzzles and STEM booklets. The educators’ donation efforts helped ensure that the event was not only about learning but also about giving back to the community in a time of need. 
This experience provided students with an exciting day of interactive activities, including an innovative collaboration with finches to teach basic coding concepts. This unique coding experience allowed students to work with small, tech-integrated robots modeled after finches, where they programmed simple movements and behaviors. “It was amazing to see how engaged the students were as they learned to program these tiny robotic finches," said Ms. Andrea Allen, YCS director of K-5 Curriculum. “Through this type of activity, we are laying the groundwork for the next generation of innovators. This type of immersive, fun learning is essential for student success”.
Throughout the event students had the opportunity to rotate through various stations that covered a range of STEM-related topics. Local high school students volunteered to assist the younger participants, offering mentorship and guiding them through the various stations ensuring that every student had an enriching experience in the “hands-on” stations.
The Tech Palooza showcased how STEM education can be both fun and impactful, sparking curiosity and encouraging young minds to think critically about the world around them. It was an event that emphasized not only the importance of STEM skills in today’s world but also the value of community support, mentorship, and collaboration.
