STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Day is a day that took place on February 22 at the Valley Mall that allows Harrisonburg City Public Schools to set up and run many STEM themed exhibits including hovercrafts and small build-it-yourself geodesic domes.

Tyler Rodriguez, the student head of STEM Day, has been in charge of a lot of the planning. He has been working with a committee after school to help decide what is going on at STEM Day, and how to make the experience enjoyable.

“STEM Day is a fun day where you can learn a variety of things,” Rodriguez said. Some of those projects included methane digesters, inventions to help disabled people and drivable robots – all of which are student designed and made.

Sophomore Brian Frank was in charge of presenting the methane digesters. The methane digesters were made by the sophomore STEM engineering class.

“There are lots of aspects from all the schools,” Frank said, “There are also many interactive activities.” There was even a little video viewing station for the younger kids.

“Everything has its own special twist… it’s a good way to learn outside the classroom,” Rodriguez also said. A lot of learning is done in the classroom, and STEM Day is a welcome relief for students such as Rodriguez.

Adam Benson, the STEM Engineering and main teacher coordinator for STEM Day, agrees with Rodriguez.

“I love all of the activities,” Benson said. Benson also thought that this STEM Day was better than last.

“There were more people there, not just HCPS people… there was new technology, and the quality was increased,” Benson said.

Now STEM is starting to work on rockets, making already working farms better and analyzing the results of this STEM Day.