Mid-Del Schools’ Science Technology Engineering Mathematics Fair at first glance may seem like a traditional science fair project, but in reality it is much more.

“STEM is for real world applications like teaching kids what engineers do and making math relevant,” This takes the learning and shows them what they use that for,” Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Kathy Dunn said.

On Saturday, Feb. 1, the school district held its second annual event.

Students worked on their projects once a week for several months. They then tested and synthesized the results and put them on display in front of all their peers.

Bria Hughes, a Ridgecrest Elementary student, has been involved in the STEM fair both years. She thinks this is an import part of her education.

“STEM stands for Science Technology Engineering and Math I think that all of those are very important. You have to learn to work well with others,” Hughes said. “I’m looking forward to sharing everything in STEM to show everybody what we worked together to build.”

“We did bumper cars we were trying to design safer bumper cars, we tried them down a ramp and then dropped them from certain heights,” said Samuel Turley from Tinker Elementary “It started in the second month of school we meet before school on Tuesdays.”

“STEM education is a multi-disciplinary approach to teaching using inquiry-based activities. Students are challenged to apply the math and science skills that learn in class while participating in rigorous activities that force them to use the engineering design model to create viable solutions to a real world problem,” said Sean Trent, director of student assessment and STEM. “The engineering design is a teaching tool that allows students to apply the math and science skills that they learn in class, while using technology to assist in their comprehension and application of these skills.”

STEM is not a competitive event, as every student involved gets credit and praise for participation, and learns how to work as a team.