IMAP and FTPP participated in STEAMFest!
STEAMFest is a free to attend, family-friendly festival that celebrates Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) through hands-on activities, live demonstrations, and exhibits. It is the main event of the Alabama Science Festival and features a wide range of attractions, including robotics, space exploration, paleontology, and live shows. This year, the event was held on the beautiful campus of the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH).
We featured three IMAP hands-on activities:
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- Participants guessed what an object does and what it is called. By asking questions to the game coordinator, they worked together to determine the object's purpose and how it might be used—without ever being told what it actually was. It did not matter whether their guesses were correct; the goal was to encourage questioning, critical thinking, and to demonstrate how asking thoughtful questions is essential in science. At the end, we revealed the object's true purpose and emphasized that curiosity and inquiry are important skills used in science every day. The objects showcased were 3D-printed models of the PSP (Parker Solar Probe) and IMAP (Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe).
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- This event had participants directly interact with the four states of matter (solid, liquid, gas, and plasma), and explore how changes in energy cause matter to transition between states. It served as an interactive model where participants could learn about the different states of matter and ask questions throughout the activity.
- IMAP Innovation Creation:
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- In this activity, participants randomly selected cards that determined an object to design, its function, and the material it would be made from. They then used design planning sheets to help visualize and develop their ideas.
- Check out the outstanding ideas!
We received excellent feedback from attendees. Approximately 4,000 guests attended the festival, and 9 students from UAH’s Department of Space Science volunteered as facilitators.
📸 View the event's full photo album here