SMETHPORT — Seneca Highlands Intermediate Unit hosted it annual STEM Academy during the week of July 31 to Aug. 4.

Greg Macer, instructional technology specialist for IU9, organized the event for around 35 students who attended daily representing Bradford, Coudersport, Johnsonburg, Kane, Port Allegany, Smethport, and St. Marys school districts; as well as students from private schools and homeschool programs.

The students explored all areas of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) with activities such as Maker Day where they learned what they could make with everyday objects.  Robotics and Computer Science Day had the students exploring automation by making their own robotics and using programming.

Natalie Aiello, a 4-H Youth development educator, Elk and Cameron Counties, led the students during biology day where they learned about all the life existing in their own backyards.  Chemistry day brought out the chemist in all of our students as they combined elements to make new molecules and reactions.

Finally STEM Challenge Day rounded out the week with students got their thinking caps on to build structures to support weight, to overcome challenges, and to launch marshmallows.