Serramonte Curious Minds Get a Special STEAM Visit
This summer, Izzi had a special visit from our new friends at Curious Minds STEAM* Lab, a program built on the belief that high-quality early STEM education should be accessible to all children. Curious Minds STEAM Lab program founder Vanessa Young and her team of volunteers including Emma Young, Heather Yee, Jessica Lew, and Kelly Young brought their energy and enthusiasm to the learning environment for our students. STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, art and math.
Izzi: Thanks for supporting our community! What were the STEAM lessons that were being taught?
Curious Minds (Vanessa): Over the three sessions at Serramonte, we taught a different STEAM-focused activity each time:
Art and Science - Color Mixing Magic: In this lesson, students explored how primary colors mix to form new colors using water and food coloring. This helped them understand basic color theory and cause and effect through hands-on exploration.
Science (Chemistry) - Volcano Eruption: For our second session, students created mini volcanoes using baking soda and vinegar to visualize chemical reactions. The students were excited to watch the "lava" bubble over and learned about reactions and observation in a memorable way.
Science (Physics) - Static Electricity: In our third lesson, students used balloons to explore static electricity. They learned how rubbing the balloon on their clothes and hair causes opposite charges to attract items such as small pieces of paper or their own hair, helping them understand invisible forces like energy and attraction.
Izzi: Why is it important for preschool-age children to learn STEAM?
Curious Minds (Vanessa): Introducing STEAM to preschool-age children is important because it builds a strong foundation for critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving from an early age. At this developmental stage, children are naturally curious and eager to explore the world around them. STEAM activities encourage them to ask questions, make observations, and experiment, key skills for lifelong learning.
Most STEAM programs focus on elementary-aged children, but I saw the value of starting even earlier, during their most curious and impressionable years.
By engaging with science, technology, engineering, art, and math in a playful and hands-on way, young children begin to develop confidence in their ability to think creatively, collaborate with others, and approach challenges with curiosity and resilience. This was clearly demonstrated by members of my robotics team, who shared that their passion for science and teamwork was sparked at a young age when they were first introduced to science through fun, hands-on experiences.
Izzi: Can you share how the students have been responding to the STEAM lessons? Any fun interactions?
Curious Minds (Vanessa):The students have been responding with great enthusiasm and curiosity to the STEAM lessons! It’s been exciting to see their faces light up when they witness a volcano erupt or watch colors magically change during the mixing activity. The children often work together, sharing ideas and cheering each other on, encouraging teamwork and confidence.
Part of our lesson plan involves asking questions throughout the activities to keep the students engaged and to gauge their understanding. We've also made participation fun by offering small prizes, which helps motivate students to join in, regardless of whether their answers are correct.
Our goal is to create a supportive environment that promotes engagement, builds confidence, and celebrates curiosity.
Their natural excitement and eagerness to explore make every session rewarding and full of fun interactions.
Izzi: Anything else you'd like to mention?
Curious Minds (Vanessa): I’m incredibly proud of how the Curious Minds STEAM Lab program is inspiring young learners to explore and discover through hands-on activities. Watching preschoolers engage with STEAM concepts so eagerly reminds me how important it is to nurture curiosity from an early age. I’m grateful to the Serramonte community for welcoming us and to our dedicated team for making every session meaningful and fun. We’re excited to continue expanding the program and bringing the joy of STEAM to more children in the coming weeks!
Thanks Curious Minds STEAM Lab for supporting our students and to make learning fun! Learn more at curiousmindssteamlab.org.
