Out-of-School Time: Building Bridges

On Saturday, March 11th, approximately 150 students from our various Out-of-School Time Programs took part in the annual S.T.E.A.M. Challenge. Bringing students from four counties together, this event, themed “Building Bridges,” took place at Hesperia Community Schools, and gave students a chance to participate and compete in a number of challenges utilizing skills and knowledge they’ve learned regarding Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Mathematics. 

In addition to the day’s highlighted competitions, the students rotated through activities such as creating boats that float out of only aluminum; creating buildings using jellybeans and toothpicks as their foundations; and making inchworms out of construction paper and then propelling them in races using straws and their own lung power.

For the main challenge, students built bridges out of either popsicle sticks or balsa wood, depending on their age, and entered them into the challenge. Judged on structure, creativity, thought process, and integrity- the winners were those bridges that could hold the most weight! There were LEGO challenges, both 2D and 3D student-created art exhibits, and lots of other fun, hands-on activities. 

“Some students took the theme not only to mean bridges over water, but building bridges amongst students, communities, and friendships – which was really cool!”
– Danielle Siegel, Youth Programs Director