Spencer Elementary Hosting Hands On Learning Event Thursday

Van Buren County students can get a change of pace this week as Spencer Elementary School hosts the Creative Discovery Museum of Chattanooga Thursday.

School Health Coordinator Kelly Lewis said the event is called Full Steam Ahead.

“The word steam is an acronym for science, technology, engineering, art and math,” Lewis said. “So that evening, the students and their families will be engaged in different projects.”

Lewis said the museum group will set up nine stations in the school’s gymnasium. Lewis said school system often partners with them. They bring hands on science projects that require numerous skills. An example is building bridges where students built structures and tested strengths, Lewis said.

“Anytime that kids listen to instruction, they get a certain amount of instruction, but when they actually have to put into practice the concepts that they’re learning about and there’s an actual hands on activity, it really helps.”

Lewis said the school system encourages parents to come with their children for the event. Lewis said the classroom with the highest participation will earn extra activity time.

Lewis said the two-hour event starts at 3:30 p.m. Thursday. Lewis said the creative learning afternoon is open to all students but mainly targets younger grades. The elementary school is located at 311 Sparta Street in Spencer.