Dear Hill Country Families,

Elementary STEMfest is designed to engage students in the 4 C’s of STEM—Communication, Collaboration, Creativity, and Critical Thinking—and fuel curiosity through hands-on exploration of science, technology, engineering, and math.

Our elementary team, under the leadership of STEM teacher Catherine Cheng, brought this vision to life with the first STEMfest in the spring of 2020. Students have since enjoyed seven enriching events that have sparked their love for learning through diverse themes, inspiring guest speakers, and engaging activities.

STEMfest 2025: Robots
Last week, K-5 students discovered how imagination and engineering merge to bring robots to life.

The day was packed with excitement and innovation as students rotated through engaging, hands-on stations that encouraged teamwork, experimentation, and design. Our young engineers were busy:

• Driving VEX GO robots through obstacle courses.
• Designing walking robots using simple, everyday materials.
• Building and testing various creations in our engineering station.
• Combining art with STEM in a fun roll-a-robot design challenge.
• Developing LEGO robots and placing themselves alongside their creations in imaginative worlds using a green screen.

Students explored how robots move, “think,” and help people in the real world, leaving the event buzzing with newfound knowledge and enthusiasm. And a special thanks to the MegaKnytes, our high school robotics team, for inspiring the next generation of students through their robot demonstration.

Year 1 (Spring 2020): Sometimes You Win, Sometimes You Learn

In our first STEMfest, students built UV resistant spacecraft, discovered the transfer of electrons through a circuit, and learned about the refraction of light. Pastor and former NASA engineer, Harold Vanicek, shared biblical truths with a Ruben’s tube and other STEM demonstrations.

Year 2 (Spring 2021): Eggs

Students learned, strategized, and constructed to overcome a myriad of egg-stremely fun challenges to keep their eggs safe. Tim Jones, a local organic farmer, and Andrea Williams, Hill Country parent and architectural designer, shared about their faith and experience in their respective fields.

Year 3 (Fall 2021): Under Pressure

Hands-on physics and geology stations included experimenting with water pressure, centripetal and centrifugal force, weathering and erosion, and volcanoes. We welcomed back guest speaker Harold Vanicek, who presented fascinating STEM demonstrations and the importance of trusting God while navigating life’s pressures.

Year 4 (Fall 2022): Blast Off Into Space

Students created straw rockets, designed battery-powered Mars rovers, and participated in an escape room. The day also featured a demonstration from the MegaKnytes, our high school robotics team. Special guests, Hill Country parents and experts in their fields, astrophysicist Sarah Salviander and rocket scientist Keith Becker, shared a biblical perspective on God giving mankind the opportunity to discover the universe and travel into space.

Year 5 (Fall 2023): The Human Body

Students explored the intricate functions of different systems, including the nervous, circulatory, respiratory, and digestive systems. Pediatrician and Hill Country dad, Dr. Cavanagh, spoke about God’s incredible design of the human body, helping students appreciate the complexity of their own anatomy.

Year 6 (Fall 2024): Botany

Students learned about God’s creation as they studied succulents and cacti with magnifying lenses, created their own plant seeds, and engineered plant parts. Guest speaker Katie Novickas shared Biblical truths from the Parable of the Sower and our librarian, Mrs. Galella, shared her story of creating a unique purple garden.

STEMfest is a powerful reminder of our students’ enthusiasm and ingenuity when inspired by hands-on learning.  I am so proud of our elementary team and look forward to seeing the incredible discoveries these young minds will make next!

Blessings,

Jessica Tracy, Preschool and Elementary School Principal