Full STEAM Ahead

REPRESENTING THE NETTLETON STEAM EAST FOUNDER’S TEAM:

Allison Moss: 5th Grade, 1 Year in EAST

Jaslene Garcia: 6th Grade, 1 Year in EAST

Nevaeh McQuiston: 5th Grade, 1 Year in EAST

Abigail Moss: 5th Grade, 1 Year in EAST

Ella McMasters: 6th Grade, 2 Years in EAST

Carlos Montana: 6th Grade, 1 Year in EAST

Nettleton STEAM proved that age sets no limits in EAST. Located in Northeast Arkansas’ largest city, EAST students at Nettleton STEAM partnered with Downtown Jonesboro businesses to help market what the area has to offer, 3D-printed a container to potentially send worms to space, and so much more to earn the program’s first ever Founder’s Award.

What was your reaction when you learned Nettleton STEAM won Founders?

Jaslene: I was so happy, excited and overcome with emotions. I was also so proud of my classmates and everyone in our program.

Allison: Once I saw that we won Founder’s, I was so excited! As a first year EAST student it was hard to believe that I had made such an impact on our program. I was surprised but I knew deep down that we had earned it.

When you nominated yourselves for Founders this year, why did you think your program was a great choice to win?

Nevaeh: I knew when we nominated ourselves for Founder’s we had done a lot of really interesting and unique projects with a lot of community partners. We had worked so hard. I really thought we had a chance.

What was your favorite project this year and why?

Abigail: My favorite project this year was the Space Worm Pods because we got to learn so much more about 3D printing, and the project could make an impact on the entire world and future colonies in space.

Nevaeh: My favorite project this year is the Space Worm Pods because we got to help A-State make pods for worms that are actually going into space!! Maker’s Making Change also did a lot of great things. They 3D printed a one-handed fingernail clipper.

Ella: My favorite project this year was Reel Look at Downtown Jonesboro. I like this project because we got to learn so many new skills like photography, videography, and video editing all in one project. Another great thing about this project was learning how to make engaging content on all social media platforms from real marketing specialists.

Describe the greatest challenge you faced this year individually.

Allison: The greatest challenge I faced was learning how to use new types of tech. Before EAST, I didn’t even know what some of the technologies were. I didn’t know how to print, film, or edit video. But I do now and I am still learning more!

Carlos: My biggest challenge was definitely getting the space worm pods to the right dimensions. Designing and laser cutting the tiny breathing holes in the tops was also really hard. To solve this, we kept trying different versions of our designs and worked with the A-State engineers to make sure they were perfect for the worms.

How have you grown this year and what have you learned?

Abigail: I think I have definitely grown this year. Before I came to EAST, I wasn’t great at working in teams, and I wasn’t always the best leader. EAST has taught me how to be better at both! I’ve also learned how to use more technology, how to use social media, how to design apps, and much more!

Nevaeh: I’ve grown so much this year. At the beginning of the year I barely knew how to work a computer. I also didn’t know how to print or edit. Now I do a lot of the printing for our class and edit a lot of our graphic designs. I have grown SO much since the beginning of the year.