Fossils and solder and snakes, oh my!

STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.  But Saturday at Julian Middle School? It may have very well stood for fun with a cool purpose.  Oak Park Education Network’s STEAM Fest once again needed both the gym and the commons area to allow elementary school-aged youngsters the opportunity to use their five senses to interact with all five categories.  Over here in the commons was a set of tables configured in an oval where parents and their kids could learn how to solder to create an electric blinkie, which looks a lot like a Christmas ornament.  Over there was Fenwick High School’s Women’s STEAM Coalition and Environmental Club, which taught the young’uns how to build a paper helicopter.  Fenwick High School students Amelia Schoeph, left, and Bella Tesfaye help a youngster build a paper helicopter at their booth at the Oak Park Education Network STEAM Fest on Saturday at Julian Middle School. Credit: Gregg Voss In the gym, the guys at