Students from throughout the greater Allendale, South Carolina, area recently enjoyed activities and events at the inaugural All in Allendale event which offered fun, food, music, as well as science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) activities.

“The fun, food, games and special activities helped draw such a large crowd today,” said Kara Meador, Executive Director, Original Six Foundation. “We’re greatly pleased that our primary goal was achieved. And that was: seeing students go from table to table throughout the room participating in a wide variety of interesting and hands-on STEM-based activities. We want to help open their eyes and minds to a world of STEM-related degrees and career paths.”

Savannah River Nuclear Solutions employee Lydia Boynton, right, provides helpful advice to student K-Jenae Cunningham, who is attempting to create a geodesic dome out of toothpicks and gum drops.

April Cone, Dean, University of South Carolina Salkehatchie, worked with Meador towards this special day.

“We both agreed that it was vital that All in Allendale be viewed as a benefit for the community as a whole. And that’s exactly what we did…inviting all the residents of Allendale County to visit, enjoy, bond and learn, as a community for the community,” said Cone.

According to Cone, the event was developed primarily for kindergarten through 12th grade, with an emphasis on easing the intimidation students often feel when undertaking STEM subject matter. “STEM should be fun, and there’s certainly a high demand in the workplace for this knowledge, especially at Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS),” she said.

“We had an idea,” added Meador. “Let’s build people up. We’ll have a cookout and STEM education. It’s all about loving the community and workforce development. And the minute this idea started spreading throughout the community, SRNS jumped onboard to be a sponsor and provide a very popular exhibit. We appreciate them and our other sponsors so much.”
Keneisha Porter, a fourth-grade teacher at Allendale-Fairfax Elementary, endorsed the event and the educational opportunities it provided for her students, including her daughter K'Jenae whose favorite event was creating geometric domes out of gum drops and toothpicks.

“The real value of this day is how far can we take STEM curriculum into the 21st century, putting science, engineering, and technology into everything we do to ensure the kids are ready to pursue their careers and doing so holistically,” said Porter. “Apart from being in the classroom, they need these hands-on activities such as the 3D printing and virtual reality exhibits. Anything we can do to benefit them in this area is important.”

Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, a Fluor-led company with Newport News Nuclear and Honeywell, is responsible for the management and operations of the Department of Energy’s Savannah River Site, located near Aiken, South Carolina.