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Intel Inspires Young Minds at Woodcrest's "STEAMing Through the Snow" Event
January 15, 2025—Brandon Franklin, a third-grader at Woodcrest Elementary School, was excited when he successfully fixed a circuit and sounded an alarm during the school’s "STEAMing Through the Snow" event, which featured Intel employees.
“It taught me to just keep trying and trying until it works,” Franklin said.
Learning how circuits work was part of Woodcrest’s “STEAMing Through The Snow,” which focused on science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM). The winter event brought Intel employees to engage students in hands-on STEM activities, inspiring curiosity, problem-solving, and showcasing opportunities.
The event culminated in Woodcrest’s winter intercession. As Columbus City Schools’ only year-round school, Woodcrest’s intercession allows small-group intervention during year-round breaks. Intercession at Woodcrest Elementary occurs three times a year: two weeks in the fall, one week in January, and two weeks in the spring.
For this year’s activity, approximately 125 students welcomed an assortment of Intel employees, ranging from information technology professionals to environmental scientists to mining engineers. Each Intel professional guided students in grades K-5 through several stations focused on STEAM principles.
“This collaboration aims to leave students with a memorable, impactful experience that highlights the real-world applications of STEM and encourages their continued exploration of these fields,” Woodcrest Principal Yolanda Cooper said.
Students explored geometry by using shapes to construct objects, demonstrated basketball skills at a physics station to learn about gravity, and discovered how sand becomes silicon for Intel semiconductor chips at a chemistry and geology station. They also experienced the chip’s power through Minecraft, highlighting engineering.
Emily Smith, Intel’s director of community affairs, said the event provides an opportunity to expose students to concepts in a non-intimidating environment. Connecting science to play will make high school chemistry and physics “less scary.”
“Our goal is that no matter what these kids do when they grow up, a foundation of STEM will prepare them for the workforce of the future,” Smith said. “And we hope that maybe one day they’ll consider a career in technology, and we will be waiting for them when they do.”
At the event's conclusion, each participant received a yo-yo, a fidget spinner, and a box of Nerds candy. After being exposed to various professions and types of science, Smith said that candy choice played an important role.
“We want them to associate it with the STEAM professionals they see here today and recognize that it’s pretty cool to be a nerd,” Smith said.
Principal Cooper was happy to see her students solving problems, collaborating with others, and communicating what they learned as they embraced STEAM concepts.
“This really encompasses everything that we want to see in our Portrait of a Graduate,” Cooper said.