Montgomery Academy’s STEAMfest Brings Hands-On Science and Art Activities—and a Hot Air Balloon—to Young Learners
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WAKA) — A colorful hot air balloon in the Perry Hill Road area on Saturday turned heads as Montgomery Academy hosted its 10th annual STEAMfest.
The tethered balloon rides were introduced for the first time this year and quickly became one of the day’s most popular attractions. Hundreds of children from pre-K to sixth grade attended the free community event, which featured more than 50 hands-on science, technology, engineering, art and math activities.
The pop-up children’s museum offered engineering and design challenges, art projects and demonstrations created by Montgomery Academy students.
Action 8 meteorologist Shane Butler brought the Thunder Truck and showed children how tornadoes form using two-liter bottles filled with water to create a funnel-shaped vortex.
Montgomery Academy science teacher and engineer Dinah McLemore said the goal of STEAMfest is to make learning accessible and fun for families.
“So we like S.T.E.M. and art activities at Montgomery Academy, and it’s something that we feel like we can share with the community,” McLemore said. “This is our 10th year of having STEAMfest and having everyone come and play. We know that children learn best through play and exploration, and we just try to provide something like that for the community every year.”
Children also had the chance to explore a helicopter flown in by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.
