The Westgate Academy doors opened to over 300 children between 3-5 years old from Martin, Daviess, and Greene Counties, along with over 100 adult teachers, chaperons, and volunteers earlier this week as STIMULUS Engineering spear headed the Inaugural Crane Community Christmas.
Throughout the day on Tuesday the 3-5 year old children were able to experience a wide range of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) themed stations that encouraged the future generation to use their cognitive skills with hands on activities.
According to Kim Frazier, Director of Business Operations at STIMULUS Engineering, the purpose of Crane Community Christmas is to introduce an underrepresented group of children to STEM education at a very young age, which is what motivated Crane Community partners to invite local Head Start groups and area daycare schools.
Frazier also elaborates on the influence that STEM can have on the youngest generation.
Both children and adults alike experienced the holiday season activities and atmosphere as they gathered near reindeer Hermey with Christmas Courtney from Silly Safari.
STIMULUS Engineering was one of the North Pole sponsors as well as Battery Innovation Center and FLIR Systems.
Other Categories included Super Santa sponsors with Silly Safaris, 327 Solutions, Precise Systems. The Christmas Elf sponsors were WestGate Authority.
The Merry Mistletoe level held Crane Credit Union, PACE CAA, Daviess County Hospital, St Vincent de Paul, JRC, Martin County CSC, Washington Knights of Columbus and the Sugar Plum sponsors were Blacks in Government, TSC and TriStar Engineering.
Troy Arnold, National Surface Warfare Center-Crane Division Site Manager with JRC Integrated System, Inc. described that being one of the sponsors meant to, “fully support as they look at the community as family and helping the next generation develop awareness of STEM helps the community excel”.
Each child was sent home with a gift from Santa and were able to experience a variety of activities that they would normally not be able to on a daily basis.
TriStar Engineering representatives with the drone station shared that they see this type of event being beneficial as it exposes the children to science.
Frazier also states that, “ They believe to have accomplished a successful event and feel privileged to host such an event for the surrounding counties as they aim to positively impact the community, especially the young ones who are at a very impressionable age to inspire their growth with STEM activities.”
To learn more about STIMULUS Engineering visit their website at www.stimulusengineering.com .
