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Albritton Middle School students recently participated in a S.T.E.A.M. activity day. The event, coordinated by Karen Pozniak-Robins, featured eight science, engineering, or technology-themed stations with hands-on activities for students. Through careful planning and adjusting the schedule, all students in grades six through eight were able to cycle through the stations. A fun, engaging time was had by all. As Principal Kaawa Fulton exclaimed, “STEAM Day was a tremendous success!”
The stations, most of which were set up in the Albritton gymnasium, included two different tower-building challenges using different materials, a station for making sturdy structures from straws, a corner for creating catapults and using them to propel balls into cups for scoring, a demonstration of air pressure and steam-powered boats, a challenging maze for students to navigate by programming spherical, rolling robots, and a 3D printing exhibition and information session. The eighth station took place just outside the gym; for it, students used data-collection robots to capture information such as carbon dioxide exhaled while standing still versus carbon dioxide exhaled after sprinting a short distance. An additional station, also inside the gymnasium, was provided by the Fort Bragg Department of Public Health’s Environmental Division. They shared information about illnesses and how to prevent them. The health professionals also provided specimens of a variety of insects for students to examine.
Students visited the gym by grade level, and they spent about 20 minutes at each station. They carried STEAM Day passports, which directed them on which station to explore next. Their passports were stamped at each station, and each station had an adult supervisor and one or two student assistants. According to Melissa Dennis, a math teacher at Albritton, “It was great to see the engagement and the student leaders really took on their role to make sure time limits were abided by, and (they) encouraged the participants. It was very well organized.”
The day ran smoothly thanks to extensive planning, engaging activities, and many helpful volunteers. Members of the planning committee, who also functioned as station supervisors, included Albritton science teachers Ms. Poz-Rob (8th grade), Kwasi Daaku (7th grade), Astrid Quiles (6th grade), Patricia Paschedag (6th grade), educational technologist Dena Vassey, science ISS Mohan Vaswani, and CTE ISS Ken Robinson. The planning committee partnered with the Fort Bragg Airborne Innovation Lab, which provided the 3D printers as well as soldier volunteers to run stations, along with the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), who also provided volunteers for the event. Other volunteers included DoDEA instructional systems specialists Alysia Durham (Assessment & Accountability), Uma Patel (World Languages), Pedro Soto (Advanced Academic Programs), and Dean Dibling (Information Centers).
“There were many volunteers involved, and (the planning) team went above and beyond to make sure all their needs were met,” explained Principal Fulton. “The volunteers also shared how much they enjoyed working with our students.”
Feedback from stakeholders was overwhelmingly positive, with many teachers asking for STEAM. Day to become an annual event. Students agreed. According to Lori Hill, language arts teacher, “the 7th graders were talking about how much fun they had in class all day and looked forward to (future) sessions.” The planning committee is already back at work, planning for STEAM Day 2026 at Albritton. Everyone is looking forward to it.
