On a lively Monday, around 200 youngsters explored the world of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) at an engaging event. Members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana gathered at Urschel Pavilion and Central Park Plaza in Valparaiso for diverse activities. This STEM-A-Thon aimed to bring fun and learning together.
The event, held on July 20, 2026, saw participation from club members across Lake and Porter counties. Michael Gard captured the vibrant moments for the Post-Tribune.
“I felt like I was on top of the world,” remarked Leonard, 17, enjoying the moment at the Best Buy booth. Known for creating play-along videos on YouTube, Leonard shared his enthusiasm after posing for photos.
Lincoln, age 12, experimented with a magnification tool, learning the importance of precise zooming to sharpen images. Meanwhile, Austin, 7, used leather gloves mimicking challenges faced by astronauts. “With these huge gloves, it felt like being in space,” he commented as he maneuvered screws.
Boeing employee Jean-Michel Sicaud facilitated this activity, watching children tackle tasks under conditions similar to those in space. They threaded pipe cleaners through tiny holes and fastened nuts to bolts, sparking interest in future astronomers.
Laylah, 10, found joy in Air Toobz, a setup with an air compressor shooting balls through tubes. Adults played along, retrieving balls as they flew out. Laylah’s wish to own the toy resonated with Leniyah, 11, who enjoyed adjusting the air pressure for powerful launches.
These activities demonstrated the Bernoulli principle, a phenomenon crucial in industries like air hockey tables and wind tunnels for aerodynamics testing.
Marcus Steele, a notable former club member and current Family and Youth Service Coordinator for Gary, spoke at the event. Steele reminisced about his club years and expressed pride in nurturing young minds today.
STEM-A-Thon provided a relaxed educational setting. “The event keeps growing each year,” Steele observed. Mike Jessen, President and CEO, emphasized the uniqueness of gathering all clubs in a single venue, enhancing the group’s sense of community.
Activities like Jenga engaged kids, while field trips broadened their horizons. Jessen highlighted the club’s summer role, offering children a place to stay for extended hours while parents work.
Jake Klotz of Blockhead Beerworks, once a club member, reflected on the club’s transformation into the Grand Gardner Hotel. Denise Koebcke, now a director of philanthropy, and a former teacher to Klotz, were key figures in this transformation.
Karla Conrad introduced centrifugal force with water cups on swinging platforms. The aim was to spin them without spilling the water, linking everyday motion to cosmic phenomena. An ambitious group attempted this with eight cups, pushing their learning boundaries.
Overall, the STEM-A-Thon was a day of discovery and inspiration, setting a foundation for the young attendees’ futures in science and technology.
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