On Wednesday, February 25, 2026, STEAM night was held at West Branch Area High School. There were over 350 attendees and over 400 people, including volunteers and clubs, filling the gyms and the cafeteria. Both auxiliary gyms were in use, with many booths. These booths were staffed by clubs, organizations, and volunteers from the Central Pennsylvania region.
STEAM Night was a chance for families and children from the community to come out and learn more about STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics). Community members and children participated in various STEAM-related activities. Some of these activities included catapults, harmonica building, cranberry spy juice, geometry of colors, STEAM games, starburst puzzles, ribbon waving, and many more STEAM activities for children to participate in. Everyone who came to the STEAM night was given a meal ticket for a burrito, rice, corn, and toppings. There was also a vegetable burrito for those who prefer vegetarian options. As students were leaving, they could choose a STEAM-related book, and parents could fill out a survey. Parents who completed a survey received a ticket for their students to win STEAM-related prizes.
Teacher Carrie Peterson, who organized the STEAM Night, stated, “I’m incredibly proud of how STEAM Night turned out this year. We are grateful for all the partners who help us create these meaningful experiences for our students. I am so appreciative of our faculty, staff, and students for stepping up and volunteering in so many different roles. An event like this takes months of planning, and when the day arrives, it truly requires a team effort. I couldn’t do it alone, and their willingness to support our students and families makes a real difference,” said teacher Carrie Peterson, who organized the STEAM Night.
Among the tables were several booths hosted by the Chief Science Officers. Attendees could make lava lamps, paper airplanes, and seed pods. Coby Kephart and Skyler Hebel taught students how to create lava lamps using bottles they recycled during an elementary recycle week, oil, water, food coloring, and Alka-Seltzer tablets.
“I’m especially excited about the role our Chief Science Officers play in the event. They take ownership of planning and leading activities, and their hands-on experiences are engaging and fun for everyone involved. Seeing students take on leadership roles like that is powerful. These experiences help them build skills and confidence that will benefit them well beyond this event,” said Carrie Peterson.
With another huge success. West Branch is looking forward to STEAM Night 2027.
