Kindergarten STEM Event Sparks Curiosity and Collaboration Across Campuses

OKINAWA, JAPAN – Kindergarten students from Bechtel and Kadena Elementary schools came together for a vibrant, hands-on STEM event that ignited curiosity and brought science standards to life on Monday, June 2, 2025.

Hosted collaboratively by the entire kindergarten team, the event featured eight interactive stations designed to immerse students in the world of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through meaningful exploration and play.

The goal was simple yet impactful: to inspire a love of science by allowing students to interact with real-world tools, apply scientific thinking, and explore the world around them. Students rotated through each of the eight stations, engaging with mini-lessons led by parent volunteers before diving into discovery-based activities. These experiences were carefully aligned with kindergarten science standards and built foundational skills in observation, critical thinking, and problem-solving.

STEM Learning in Action:

1. Catapults & Simple Machines – Students built their own catapults, testing how design changes impacted distance and motion. They explored force, motion, and simple machines in a playful but purposeful way.
2. Parts of Bugs – Using magnifying glasses, students observed real insects encased in resin and compared characteristics to familiar insects, practicing scientific observation and classification.
3. Rock Sort – With magnifying tools in hand, students examined various rocks, sorting them based on color, texture, and patterns, deepening their understanding of natural materials.
4. Tower Building – Students collaborated to stack and balance plastic cups, practicing fine motor control and engineering concepts such as balance, height, and stability.
5. Shelter Construction – Using Vopitos building kits, students constructed shelters designed to withstand wind and rain, applying principles of engineering and teamwork.
6. Force and Motion with Hot Wheels – Students raced cars down ramps, comparing speed and distance while discussing gravity, friction, energy, and collisions.
7. Coding with Bottley Robots – Students were introduced to early coding by programming Bottley robots through obstacle courses, learning sequencing and logic through trial and error.
8. Microscope Exploration – Students looked through real microscopes and prepared slides to examine leaves and insects up close, building curiosity and understanding of how science tools help us see the invisible.

Each rotation offered students the opportunity to manipulate materials, make predictions, test ideas, and reflect on their discoveries. The parent volunteers from both Bechtel and Kadena played a vital role in the event’s success, guiding students and encouraging wonder at every stop.

By the end of the day, young scientists walked away more confident, curious, and connected to the world of STEM.