A longtime Wayne County 4-H tradition has been reimagined this year, as the former Tech Fest returned under a new name — STEM Day.
Now in its 18th year, the two-day program continued its focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics while adding more emphasis on STEM-related careers. A total of 181 fifth-grade students from across Wayne County participated.
One of the new additions was a tour of Elastec’s production facility in Fairfield. Production Manager Boe Cantrell showed students the types of booms and custom covers produced at the facility, along with the tools and raw materials used in the manufacturing process.
Students also heard from Kari Book, vice president of human resources and marketing with Fairfield National Bank. Book led an activity on fraud prevention and online safety, with students joining the “FNB Fraud Squad” and working through examples of common scams.
This year’s program was also held in partnership with Frontier Community College. Students visited the college’s Workforce Development Center, where Electrical Distribution Systems Instructor Dustin Wiggins and Director of Student Engagement and Recruitment Carrie Halbert introduced them to the EDS program.
Students saw equipment used in training, including a lineman’s belt, mini excavator, bucket truck and electrical poles. Current EDS students also taught participants how to tie a square knot and a bowline knot.
The program concluded each day with hands-on 4-H activities. Students were challenged to build rollercoasters and boats using limited materials, encouraging them to use problem-solving, creativity and engineering skills.
Wayne County 4-H and Illinois Extension thanked Fairfield National Bank for sponsoring STEM Day activities and lunch, along with the presenters, Elastec and Frontier Community College.
School administrators and teachers interested in learning more about 4-H school programs may contact their local Extension Office or visit the Illinois Extension school programs website.