Gerstell Academy STEAM Night Brings Learning to Life

Even with rainy weather moving parts of the event indoors, the energy never dropped. In fact, it added to the feeling that the school had truly been transformed hallways, classrooms, and gathering spaces became glowing underwater environments filled with ocean-inspired art, student projects, engineering challenges, and interactive science experiences. 

One of the standout features of the night was the all-school art showcase. Every division contributed, and the variety of materials and techniques was incredible. Visitors walked through displays featuring paper mâché coral reefs, glowing painted sea creatures, recycled-material ocean sculptures, and beautifully detailed clay-fired pieces. The mix of mediums brought the ocean theme to life in such a dynamic way that it genuinely felt like walking through an underwater world. The Glow Room and LINK displays were especially memorable and gave students a chance to shine in a completely immersive setting. 

STEAM Night also highlighted what makes Gerstell special students of all ages learning together, leading together, and sharing their work with pride. Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School students all contributed projects across science, math, engineering, leadership, media, art, technology, and environmental stewardship. The night reflected the school’s commitment to experiential learning and leadership through collaboration, perseverance, resourcefulness, and service to others. 

Families explored: 

A special highlight was the 3rd Grade Weather Studio experience. Students didn’t just learn about weather they stepped into the role of real meteorologists. They researched cities, studied weather patterns, wrote their own forecasts, practiced delivery, and then headed to the Carroll County Media Center to film their broadcasts using a real studio setup with teleprompters and professional equipment. The final videos were a true highlight of the evening and a powerful example of authentic, project-based learning. 

The interactive STEAM stations were busy all night long. Students and families built floating boats, designed crab rescue devices, balanced marine ecosystems, explored how pollution moves through water systems, built coral reefs using geometry, experimented with robotics, and participated in ocean-animal movement challenges. There was a steady hum of conversation, teamwork, curiosity, and problem-solving everywhere you looked. 

Families also enjoyed time together outside of learning stations thanks to our amazing food trucks: 

 

A sincere thank you as well to our community partners who generously donated door prizes and helped support the event: 

More than anything, STEAM Night was a reminder of what happens when a school community comes together with a shared purpose. It was hands-on, creative, messy, thoughtful, and full of energy, and it showcased learning in its most engaging form.