Students tackle natural disasters for STEAM Challenge.

February 3, 2019

TrueNorth Community Services photo

Students tackle natural disasters for STEAM Challenge.

#HesperiaCommunitySchools

HESPERIA — Natural disasters were the themed backdrop for the 70 students from 10 schools taking part in the sixth annual STEAM Challenge regional academic exhibition, Jan. 26.

Airplanes, rockets, engineering, the environment, nature, shelter and art were part of the mix, with more than 100 people in attendance at Hesperia middle and high schools.

The first through eighth graders participating were from the out-of-school time programs Engage! in Hesperia; REACH in White Cloud; and Project FOCUS in Hart, Muskegon, Muskegon Heights and Walkerville.

TrueNorth Community Services photo

The students are from Hart Middle and Spitler Elementary schools in Hart; Hesperia Middle and Patricia St. Clair Elementary schools in Hesperia; Three Oaks Public School Academy in Muskegon; Edgewood Elementary and Dr. Martin Luther King academies in Muskegon Heights; Walkerville Elementary School in Walkerville; and White Cloud Elementary and White Cloud Junior/Senior High schools in White Cloud. The schools and programs are located in Newaygo, Oceana and Muskegon counties.

STEAM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math. REACH is an acronym for Respect, Excellence, Academics,

TrueNorth Community Services photo

Community and Health. FOCUS is an acronym for For Our Children’s Ultimate Success.

The out-of-school time programs are provided as a community service by TrueNorth Community Services. Hesperia’s Engage! and White Cloud’s REACH programs are funded through grants from Fremont Area Community Foundation. In Hart, Muskegon, Muskegon Heights and Walkerville, Project FOCUS is funded by federal 21st Century Community Learning Centers grants awarded through the Michigan Department of Education.

“TrueNorth Community Services is a private, nonprofit organization that builds communities with one mission: we empower people and strengthen community to inspire hope and build a brighter future. Founded in 1972, TrueNorth envisions a world where all people have the opportunity to create permanent positive change,” states press release about the event.