STEM Nights

Engaging Families and Communities in STEM Learning

STEM Nights provide a unique opportunity for schools, libraries, and community organizations to engage students and their families in hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math activities.

These events foster curiosity, collaboration, and real-world problem-solving skills while making STEM education more accessible and exciting.

By hosting STEM Nights, educators can create an interactive learning environment that encourages students to explore STEM concepts beyond the classroom.

At Strawbees, we support STEM Nights with engaging, hands-on learning tools designed to inspire curiosity and innovation.

In this page, you can find:

→ Three Key Reasons

→ Success Stories

→ Grant Opportunities

→ Meet the Account Manager

Why Implement STEM?

Three Key Benefits of Implementing STEM Nights

There are many reasons to implement STEM Nights but we've highlighted three primary reasons below including building interest in STEM, strengthens school and community partnerships, as well as encouraging hands-on and experiential learning.

Reasons to Implement STEM Nights

Building STEM Interest and Awareness

What we know:

  • According to the National Science Foundation, students who participate in hands-on STEM activities are more likely to pursue STEM careers.
  • STEM Nights create a positive and engaging environment that helps reduce anxiety around STEM subjects, making students more confident in their abilities.
  • Activities allow students to explore STEM concepts through play, reinforcing the idea that learning can be both fun and educational.

Strengthening School and Community Partnerships

What we know:

  • Schools that engage with local businesses and universities can gain access to mentorship programs, STEM career exploration opportunities, and additional funding sources.
  • STEM Nights offer unique opportunities to focus on collaboration, student engagement, teacher empowerment and collaborative efforts, according to this case study.
  • Utilizing engineering kits, robotics and coding tools, learners can engage in open-ended projects that promote ingenuity and technical skills.

Building Collaboration and Community Engagement

What we know:

  • STEM Nights can provide a collaborative environment where students work together, share ideas, and learn from one another.
  • This teamwork helps foster communication, leadership, and social-emotional skills while creating a sense of community.
  • According to research, STEM Nights can be a mechanism to promote parental engagement with their students.
Success Stories

STEM Nights with Strawbees

Strawbees has had a significant impact on STEM Nights. Our hands-on, innovative approach to teaching STEM empowers students to build, create, and collaborate—skills that are essential for their future success.

The Santa Rosa Think Tank

Michael Knowlton, STEM Coordinator in Santa Rosa, Florida, does all things STEM through the Santa Rosa Think Tank, including STEM Nights. Seeing up to 500-1,000 students per night, he loves engaging students and their parents in the world of STEM.

"We see instant engagement when students start working with Strawbees. It's inspiring to watch a student hugging a parent in excitement. Strawbees strikes the perfect balance: familiar enough to feel easy, but unique enough to be meaningful and purposeful."

Read Michael's Story
Michael Knowlton LS 3

What Educators Say

Here’s what educators are saying about their experiences:

“Strawbees has been a game-changer in introducing students to aerospace, computer science, AI, and—just as importantly—the soft skills they develop in class and at events."
Michael Knowlton
Michael Knowlton

STEM Coordinator, Santa Rosa School District, Florida

“Every student is engaged because it is hands-on. It's accessible and engaging for everybody. I couldn't tell you one student who wasn't.”
Patrina Conrow
Patrina Conrow

K-8th Computer Science Teacher

"Strawbees is the type of material and tool that lends itself to really well to being equally engaging for somebody who's done the activity before and someone who's never done the activity."
Peter Wardrip Wide
Peter Wardrip

Associate Professor, University of Wisconsin

Pocketful of Ideas

STEM Nights can involve free building activities easily with Strawbees or specific lessons we've built on Strawbees Classroom as well as challenges with our Pocketful of Ideas cards. They provide over 100 challenges for students looking for quick build ideas easily accomplished on a STEM Night.

Shop Pocketful of Ideas
Strawbees_pocketful of idea (1)
Grant opportunities

STEM Night Grants

Finding funding for STEM and STEAM education can be challenging, but there are a range of grants and funding sources to support hands-on learning initiatives for STEM Nights.

Special Event STEM Funding

Many organizations offer funding opportunities for STEM outreach events, including STEM Nights. Schools and libraries can apply for grants to support hands-on learning experiences and interactive programming.

Some useful resources include:

Local Grant Opportunities

Organizations and corporations provide funding for STEM outreach initiatives, including community-based STEM events and family engagement programs.

Examples of local grants include:

These grants help schools and community centers create meaningful STEM experiences that inspire future innovators.

How We Can Help with Grant Applications

If you're looking for funding to bring hands-on STEAM learning to your students, we do have a grant writing webinar you can watch to help support you.

Learn more →

Strawbees in STEM Nights

Next Steps

Integrating STEM into STEM Niights creates engaging and collaborative learning environments where students can experiment, build, and innovate in their communities.

Through hands-on learning, creativity, and teamwork, STEM Nights can engage students and help them prepare for the future by fostering essential problem-solving skills.

At Strawbees, we are committed to supporting STEM Nights with tools and resources that inspire exploration and invention.

portrait_ellen
Ellen Florberger
School Partnership Manager
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