More than 150 children turned out for Georgia Northwestern Technical College’s (GNTC) first Kids STEM Festival on Thursday, Oct. 27, at the Gordon County Campus in Calhoun.

The free event was open to everyone. GNTC encouraged students to come with their children to engage in fun learning and STEM activities.

“I am overwhelmed by the community’s support and involvement in this event,” said Daizha Staples, GNTC’s Special Populations coordinator. “I am excited that the community was equally excited about the event. Parents came up to me to thank GNTC for hosting the event.”

GNTC’s Early Childhood Care and Education program instructors and students hosted activities such as making a lava lamp with household items, crafting a tambourine from paper plates and jingle bells, learning how to brush teeth and practicing reading skills. There were also snacks and games, as well as a backpack full of activities given to participants.

The goal behind this event was to provide developmental STEM activities to increase learning in northwest Georgia. Reading, Math, Science, Social Studies, Music and Art activities were explored, Staples said.

“The students get the learning tools to take home with them,” said Jennifer Dixon, assistant dean and instructor of Early Childhood Education at GNTC. She called the learning activities for small children “manipulatives.”

Ben Niles, a 2012 GNTC graduate and member of GNTC’s Alumni Board, said he brought his son, Avery, to the event to learn more about STEM because he likes those subjects at school; meanwhile, Avery said his favorite activities were playing ring toss and cornhole with his father.