Hispanic Heritage Month at Vails Gate STEAM Academy
From September 15 to October 15, Vails Gate STEAM Academy proudly celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with a variety of fun and educational activities. Students explored the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of Hispanic and Latin communities through storytelling, classroom discussions, sampling cultural foods during special events and created vibrant artwork inspired by Kahlo-Viva la Vida.
As a culminating project we hosted a STEAM event where students explored the rich contributions of Hispanic and Latin scientists, artists, engineers, and innovators through hands-on activities, interactive exhibits, and creative projects. They designed and built rocket ships to emulate Ellen Ochoa, the astronaut, engineer and inventor. They built catapults to launch small pom poms like Lionel Messi, the soccer player from Argentina. They created paintbrushes and then painted self portraits like famous Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. They made guitars to play music like famous guitarist and musician Carlos Santana from Mexico. They designed cargo boats like the ones that travel the Panama Canal allowing for trade and transportation around the world and created colorful buildings similar to the ones Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi designed. It was an interactive experience that was a fun and meaningful way to honor culture, creativity, and curiosity.
Thank you to our teachers, staff, and families for helping bring our celebrations to life and for encouraging our students to appreciate the diversity that makes our community so special!
Photos provided by various Vails Gate staff
ATTENTION: Are your scholars or colleagues doing something great? Please contact the district Communications Team at communications@necsd.net. We’d love to visit your class or event and/or post your pictures and recap to highlight the amazing accomplishments throughout our district!
