Beats and Eats: Full STEAM ahead
It was a crazy weekend for Breakaway members. Friday through Saturday morning was the Breakaway retreat, but on August 24th, Saturday evening, we took part in Searcy’s Beats and Eats. Beats and Eats is a community event that occurs several times a year and is run by the Searcy Arts Council. This August’s Beats and Eats was called “Full STEAM Ahead” with the combined theme of STEM and Art. It was the town’s premiere back to school event.
Last spring the Searcy Beats and Eats Committee invited Breakaway 3937 to have an activity center on the STEM street for the Full STEAM Ahead night. In addition, one of our team mentors, Dr. Tim Westbrook, was asked by the committee to serve as the theme leader. Our program was all in! Our activity station included “robo sumo,” where kids can drive LEGO bots and try to push their opponent off of a small platform. Kids were also able to build their own robots with LEGOs. In addition, we had our Snap Circuit Kit table and live demonstrations of our 2019 Deep Space robot.
Breakaway was one of four major STEM activity stations. The Museum of Discovery from Little Rock brought their Sensory Tent, sponsored by Blue and You Foundation. The Sensory Tent was a huge success, and the Awesome Science Show packed the house in Center on the Square. The maker’s space Innovation Hub from North Little Rock brought their STEAM train, which included a screen printer and 3D printer for kids of all ages to enjoy. Harding University’s HU STEM Center completed the activities with Ozobot Evos, which always drew an audience. Parents told us that this Beats and Eats with the STEAM theme had more activities for their kids than any before.
The A in STEAM also brought out the artistic creativity of the community. Art Alley had live artists who were creating new imagery on the alley walls. Live musical entertainment filled the air by local groups Highway 36 and Jason Coleman.
Of course, there were plenty of eats with food trucks and vendors!
Beats and Eats estimated 7,000 people attending, and every one of them saw our robot. We had people at our station from 6pm to 9:30pm, and everyone was so involved and interested in what we had to show them. Teaching and interacting with our local community had become a focal point for our team, and we are loving it. We have had so many wonderful opportunities because of the community involvement in Searcy and we are so grateful for it.
Thank you to our Sponsors!
