Braves pack the building for the fourth annual event!

NEWS RELEASE: Heather Higdon, Director of Communications

INDIAN HILL, OH (March 4, 2022) – It was children vs. adults and everyone left a winner at the Olympic-themed Indian Hill Primary School (IHPS) Family STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) Night Thursday, February 24. 

Students entered with family members to Olympic-themed music for the fourth annual Indian Hill Primary School Family STEM Night on Thursday, February 24, 2022. (Provided)

 To celebrate how IHPS students move through the Engineering Design Process, a major component of IHPS curriculum, the stage was set to compete – Olympic style! After learning the country (room) in which they would compete, teams learned the design challenge they would be involved in, delivered from a bobsled!

The two teams were challenged to make, test, and improve a bobsled design after learning about the bobsled events in the Olympics. Finally, teams raced their designs down tracks and noticed what was helpful and needed improvement in their designs. Both teams were given the opportunity to redesign and test as many times as they could within the night.

It should come as no surprise that students were superstars when it came to the design process! 

“This was an incredible event – so much fun for our brilliant students and the supportive adults in their lives,” said Indian Hill Primary School Principal Dr. Erin Owens. “We know that exposure to STEM is important and guides the IHPS experience. However, the value of Family STEM Night is what it does to provide an opportunity for children and family members to connect joyfully.” 

Family memebers with students during 2022 STEM Family night at IHPS (Provided)

In addition to the bobsled competition, this year participants also enjoyed a showcase of student designs that will lead to a new playground in summer of 2023! Those in attendance gave feedback to the students using QR codes. Students will use the feedback to improve their final designs.

“It’s not every day that you get to be involved in the designing of a playground!” said Indian Hill Primary School Assistant Principal Andy Gruber. “Our students, who utilize our current playground on a daily basis, are ideal partners to collaborate with the architects from MSA Design. Through implementation of our building’s engineering design process, students’ thoughts and imaginations will eventually transform our outdoor environment into a play scape that is fun for all students.”

All IHPS students and their families were invited to attend. This was the fourth annual IHPS Family STEM Night.