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STEMfest takes place Saturday at Mill River Park. The event starts at 10 a.m. with the official opening and continues until 4 p.m. It is free and open to the public.
Carrie Chiappetta, director for school improvement and professional development for secondary schools, said the event will showcase STEM activities in the school system.
“It’s a good way to highlight some of the STEM activities we are doing in the schools,” Chiappetta said. “And to highlight them in an informal setting.”
STEM, an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, is a push by schools and governments to encourage more children to study those sometimes less popular subjects.
Beth Eiseman, curriculum associate for science, said immersing students early in STEM subjects is vital to getting them interested in these topics.
“Waiting until high school is too late to get students interested in STEM,” she said.
There will be different activities throughout the park, Chiappetta said, including projects from Stamford and Westhill high school students.
Students from the Academy of Information Technology & Engineering will document the event through photography and video, Chiappetta said.
Other individuals and groups will also take part in the event, including from Norwalk Community College and Central Connecticut State University, Chiappetta said.
Mayor David Martin will officially open the event. It enjoys a high level support from within the school system, including Superintendent Winnifred Hamilton, Chiappetta said.
“We have the full support of the superintendent. We couldn’t have done it without her support,” she said.
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