Cornerstone's STEM-tacular Creations

March is packed with exciting STEM holidays that inspire curiosity and learning! Kick off the month with National Science Day (March 1), a celebration of scientific discoveries that encourages students to explore the wonders of science. On World Engineering Day (March 4), we recognize the incredible role engineering plays in shaping a better world. Mid-month brings double the math fun with Pi Day and the International Day of Mathematics (both on March 14), offering the perfect chance to dive into geometry, math puzzles, and maybe even bake a pie!  

STEM Adventures at Cornerstone: Building, Learning, and Discovering

March is an exciting month for STEM enthusiasts at Cornerstone! With National Science Day on March 1, World Engineering Day on March 4, and Pi Day on March 14, students have plenty of opportunities to explore science, technology, engineering, and math in fun and engaging ways. Our students and teachers are embracing these STEM holidays with hands-on projects that spark curiosity and build essential skills.

Middle School STEM: Bridge Builders in Action

In our middle school STEM classes, students took on the challenge of designing and building functional bridges using only popsicle sticks, string, and hot glue. This creative project encouraged problem-solving, teamwork, and a deeper understanding of engineering principles.  

Jack Lawson (7) and Connor Thomas (7) chose to build a suspension bridge because it was their favorite and they wanted a fun challenge. The most rewarding part for Jack was "just seeing the bridge done and built." Of course, no engineering project is without its challenges. Connor recalled moments when his bridge supports started curving and twisting! “We solved these problems by gluing them to the frame for more support," he said.

Oscar Ahrens (7) and Colston Keith (8) explored something completely new with their Bowstring Truss bridge. "I had never heard of a Bowstring Truss before, which made me curious. I researched it and found it to be a very neat kind of bridge," he explained. The most rewarding part? "Stepping back and getting to see the finished product and what we had accomplished."

Max Roginsky (7) and Ethan Holmes (7) designed a beam bridge because of its simplicity and strength. "I thought it was the most effective way to carry a load with the given materials," he shared. Although Max faced challenges building straight beams over long distances, his persistence paid off. "The most rewarding part was how much it exceeded the weight-carrying capabilities I thought it would have."

Jack Cahoon (8) and Jacey Hart (8) worked well together on their bridge project. Jack reflected on what he learned from the experience: "This project showed me the strongest way to build a bridge and helped me with my ability to solve problems as they present themselves." Jacey, inspired by the Forth Bridge in Scotland, shared her enthusiasm for the complexity of cantilever bridges, saying, "I wanted to do a cantilever bridge because of how complex it is. Also, I think those bridges are fascinating!" The duo constructed their bridge using popsicle sticks and hot glue, which Jacey noted “turned out to be a good material for building.” However, the process wasn’t without challenges. "Our design was not very stable, and the whole structure wanted to bend inward when pressure was added to the middle," she explained.

"Honestly, the whole project required a lot of teamwork, but especially the part where we had to figure out the sizes of everything and the whole structure layout," Jacey continued. In the end, the hard work paid off. "The most rewarding part of this project was the overall outcome. It felt relieving and exciting to see the whole bridge completed!" she shared. Looking ahead, she sees the value of this experience: "These engineering skills I have learned will help me in the future by allowing me to understand the importance of accuracy in the building and engineering process of structures."    

Elementary STEM: Chain Reactions and Cobra Weaves

Our younger students in the Techno Smarts class, led by Mrs. Deena Dickerson, have also been busy exploring STEM through creative activities. Techno Smarts introduces students to science, technology, engineering, and math in a hands-on, fun-filled environment. They used card stock to make paper roller coasters. These students worked hard to get the hill at the right height and incline so the marble could successfully go down the hill, through the loop, and around the curve.
 

Playing with the tiles is both fun and challenging. Here, students are learning to make a tower. It needs to be strong enough to not topple while building it, but not so strong that it won’t fall when you set off your chain reaction.

Recently, students explored chain reactions by building a "cobra weave" using craft sticks. "The cobra weave works by holding tension between the popsicle sticks so that when you let go, the tension breaks and they all go everywhere," explained Brooklyn Staveness (6). Although the challenge was tricky at times, she proudly shared, "I felt very accomplished when my chain reaction finally worked." Click here to see it in action!

Levi Sumrall (6) enjoyed the teamwork involved in Techno Smarts. "My favorite thing about being in Techno Smarts is the activities and building as a team," he said. Levi also shared that one of the biggest surprises was discovering how many steps are required for what seems like a simple challenge. "The most challenging part was trying not to set it off while building it," Levi added.

Maximus Howerton (5) is a big fan of Techno Smarts because of the creativity involved. "We’ve made a paper roller coaster, card towers, and even did some coding, which I thought was really fun," he shared. Reflecting on his experience with the cobra weave, Maximus was amazed by the science behind it. "It was cool that momentum and energy could do that."

Presley Ruplin (5) added, “Techno smarts makes learning about STEM fun because we get to learn science but in a very fun way.”

High School STEM:  Innovation on Wheels 

Students in Mr. Shane Williams's high school Pre-Engineering class wrapped up a STEM project where students did extensive research as they designed and constructed derby cars. Click here to read about last year's race and learn more about this awesome annual event! 

Celebrating Pi Day with Purpose

March 14, or 3/14, is a day dedicated to the famous mathematical constant pi (3.14159...). At Cornerstone, Pi Day isn’t just about numbers—it’s a chance to combine learning with faith and fun. Our secondary math classes will be celebrating Pi Day in a variety of ways, including our geometry students incorporating oatmeal cream pies into their lesson plans!

Here are a few ways you can celebrate at home:

• Pi(e) Party: Students can celebrate with a pie-eating contest or bake-off, while learning about how God’s creation reflects order and design—just like the never-ending sequence of pi.
• Pi and Proverbs: Challenge students to find 3 Bible verses that teach wisdom, 1 that emphasizes patience, and 4 that focus on God's infinite nature. (Jeremiah 31:3 says, "I have loved you with an everlasting love.")
• Pi(e) and Praise: Combine pie tasting with a short devotional about God’s infinite nature. Just like pi never ends, His love for us is limitless.

This March, let’s celebrate the endless possibilities STEM has to offer and embrace the incredible opportunities to grow in knowledge, faith, and curiosity! Click here for even more fun STEM & STEAM activities.

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