Smith Elementary hosts second annual STEM Night with university and community partners

Smith Elementary School hosted its second annual STEM Night, bringing together educators, families, university partners and community members for an evening focused on hands-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics learning.

The event was organized by 4th grade teacher Renee Stotz, who led coordination efforts for the second consecutive year as the program continued to expand in scale and participation. Teachers from across grade levels staffed interactive stations designed to engage students in real-world problem solving through STEM-based activities.

Throughout the evening, students rotated through stations featuring robotics challenges, engineering design tasks and other applied learning activities that encouraged experimentation, collaboration and creative thinking. Faculty participation across grade levels contributed to a structured and energetic learning environment.

“This was the most fun ever—I really hope we do this again,” said 4th grade student Adeline Orick.

University of Maryland Global Campus and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University volunteers supported the event by providing demonstrations, mentorship and subject-matter expertise. Their involvement helped students make connections between classroom instruction and future academic and career opportunities in STEM-related fields.

Community engagement played a significant role in the event’s success. Families worked alongside students at each station, creating shared learning experiences, while local community partners contributed materials and technical support to enhance programming.

The collaboration among Smith Elementary educators, university partners and community members resulted in strong attendance and positive feedback, reinforcing the value of coordinated efforts to strengthen STEM education opportunities for students served by DoWEA.