(Posted on March 22, 2023)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
London City Schools’ long-running Fine Arts Festival has morphed into something new, showcasing a broader range of student talent.
The newly named STEAM Festival shines the spotlight not only on student artwork and music performances but also on student explorations in science, technology, engineering, and math. The annual event has been migrating this direction over the last few years with participation from students involved in FFA, robotics, and the biomedical program. Visitors can expect to see technology and woodworking projects, robotics and three-dimensional printer demonstrations, and plenty of other STEAM program highlights.
“The switch was made from Fine Arts to STEAM due to the festival including more areas of our curriculum and recognizing other areas of excellence within our school system,” said Jim Wolverton, athletics and student activities director. “This festival is a day to celebrate and show off the many abilities of our students.”
London City Schools’ 2023 STEAM Festival is slated for 10 a.m.-1 p.m. April 1 at the high school and elementary school buildings. Students in kindergarten through 12th grade are participating. The festival is open to the public and admission is free.
Another new addition to the event is a festival within the festival. Carla Shaw, director of innovation and virtual programs, helped to launch the district’s first film festival. The contest was open to students and staff members. All 10 entries will be shown during the STEAM Festival.
“We did this based on student interest,” Shaw said. “Some of the broadcast video students made a film that students watched district-wide last year. It was a success, so we decided to open things up to see if any other students had a talent and passion for making films.”
Students and staff entered films in a variety of categories, including micro-movies, documentaries, music videos, and comedy. All entries were required to be no more than 10 minutes long. The longest one submitted is 8 minutes long.
Some of the films were done independently, and several were submitted as class projects. Among the submissions are “Last Chance London,” a documentary about the London boys’ basketball team, and “Enter Sandman,” a music video created by the high school’s ukulele class.
“We absolutely will do this again based on this year’s level of entries, the popularity of it, and student interest,” Shaw said about the film contest. “This is a great addition to the festival to showcase student work.”
The STEAM Festival schedule of events and highlights are as follows. (LES stands for London Elementary; LMS stands for London Middle School; LHS stands for London High School.)
Performances/Events
10 a.m.–LMS Choir (LHS Gym)
10:20 a.m.–LMS Beginning Band (LHS auditorium)
10:40 a.m.–Fifth Grade Bucket Brigade (LHS Gym)
11 a.m.–London City Schools Film Festival (LHS Room 311)
11:30 a.m.–Second Grade performing “The Very Busy Spider” (LHS Gym)
12 p.m.–LMS Concert Band (LHS Auditorium)
12:20 p.m.–LES Choir (LHS Gym)
12:40 p.m.–LHS Band (LHS Auditorium)
Art/Projects
LES artwork (LES hallways)
LMS artwork (LES auditeria)
LHS artwork (LHS hallways)
Technology education projects (LHS commons.)
Bio-tech projects (LHS commons)
LES STEAM projects (LES Makerspace)
Activities
Face painting (LHS 300 hallways)
Petting zoo (LHS rooms 805-806)
Agriculture education and FFA activities (LHS rooms 805-806)
LHS Robotics demonstrations (LHS Commons)
3D Printer demonstrations (LHS 300 hallway)
STEAM Program highlights (LHS Gymnasium video board)
Raffle
The following items will be raffled off: a hand-built ukulele, various art projects, various technology education projects, and various agriculture education and FFA projects. Tickets are $1 (cash only).
