Students from Edwins, Elliott Point, Longwood, Shalimar, and Wright Elementary Schools gathered at the new Edwins Elementary STEM Lab for an engaging FIRST® Explore Festival, designed to increase STEM visibility and encourage future participation in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). The Doolittle Institute STEM Outreach, the Okaloosa Public School Foundation, and the Okaloosa County School District partnered for a year to make the event possible (pictured below). They focused this collaboration on providing enrichment opportunities to students who might not otherwise have access to STEM programs.
Throughout the school year, teams of up to twelve third-grade students worked, many during the school day, using this year’s FIRST Explore theme of archaeology. Students applied the engineering design process as they designed, built, coded, and refined solutions to real-world problems faced by archaeologists. Alongside developing new technical skills, students embraced the FIRST Core Values - Discovery, Impact, Innovation, Inclusion, Teamwork, and Fun, as they learned to collaborate, problem-solve, and celebrate their shared successes.
Every participating team was celebrated as a winner, with special awards proudly presented in the following categories:
Core Values Award – Edwins Elementary
Team Model Award – Shalimar Elementary
Spirit Award – Wright Elementary
Coding Award – Elliott Point Elementary
Challenge Solution Award – Longwood Elementary
The festival spotlighted how community partnerships and hands-on learning inspire the next generation of STEM leaders. A heartfelt thank you to Edwins Elementary for hosting the event and to the Okaloosa Public School Foundation for making this impactful experience possible.
