More than 1,500 students from public schools in Sandy Springs converged on North Springs High School on March 5 for the 15th annual Sandy Springs Education Force STEAM Showcase.
Drones flew through the air, robots ran mazes and carried out tasks under the control of students ranging from elementary to high school. Parents, sponsors, elected officials, and other visitors saw what the Sandy Springs Education Force (SSEF) funding delivered in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math education. Plant growth, puzzles, and games with a STEAM flair were on display.
SSEF Executive Director Irene Schweiger said more than 1,500 students shared their exhibits with fellow students, educators, exhibitors and parents during the school day and into the evening.
It was the last showcase for a large group of Spalding Drive Elementary School students, who filled a long line of tables with their experiments and learning displays.
A reception for exhibitors, sponsors, Fulton County school board members, and Sandy Springs city officials kicked off with an introduction of SSEF Board Vice Chair Kathy Shapiro by Zeus2Q, a robotic creation of System Technology Works.
Sandy Springs Mayor Rusty Paul said with turmoil and angst within the school system, the community needs things like the STEAM Showcase to help remember the real meaning of education.
Fulton County Schools Zone Superintendent Alexandra Bates congratulated Schweiger, her board of directors, and the community for the organization’s accomplishments.
“We have already begun to reap the benefits of this work that’s been going on for quite some time,” Bates said.
Schweiger recognized the top showcase sponsors, including the Range Water Impact Foundation and the Couchman and Noble Foundation. Melanie Couchman shared how the organization began with an idea around the kitchen table in 2008, with Schweiger hired about 18 months later.
“We created blueprint upon which this organization has grown, and I’m just taken away with how great this organization has matured and to all the wonderful community members that have participated,” Couchman said. “Not only have you created an organization, but you’ve built a community around this, which is really wonderful. So we’re really pleased to continue to be sponsors of this organization.”
