Written By: Nicole Del Villar, AUSD Communications Intern
Granada Elementary School’s annual STEM Community Event returned in May, featuring a car showcase, a student talent show, and, most importantly, a recycled materials car contest.
As part of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Technology) event, students competed in a recycled materials car contest. Designs demonstrating the most creative use of recycled materials, ranging from water bottles to cardboard boxes, competed for top placements as determined by judges. Some entries included cardboard car frames, a Sprite bottle used as the base with straws and plastic bottle caps as decorations, soda cans used as tires, and a sturdy wooden car carrying small toy passengers. The event has evolved into more than just a STEM showcase.
Dr. Rosa Soria, Granada’s principal, said it has also become an event where those who have, “a love for their vehicles can bring them and showcase them.” She explained that last year, the event expanded from being solely a car showcase to also highlighting students’ abilities through a talent show featuring singing, dancing, and more. Ultimately, she said, the event is a chance for the school to, “come together as a community to celebrate end-of-the-year achievements.”
Many local organizations and businesses were also present to support the event. Raising Cane’s and Chano’s offered food for attendees to enjoy, while Granada’s ASB sold refreshments. The Alhambra Civic Center Library, the Gabrielino San Gabriel Band of Mission Indians, and the Petersen Automotive Museum provided resources and information to families. The museum also brought several vehicles for display, including a popular black-and-white patterned car that students and parents could color using dry-erase markers. A student-led craft booth offered another hands-on activity, along with a blacktop area where students could drive remote-controlled cars with friends.
Later in the event, the talent show featured a wide variety of student performances across grade levels. Granada’s Folklórico group opened the show, followed by a student dance routine to KATSEYE’s “Gnarly,” a vocal performance of Aurora’s “Runaway,” another dance performance to *NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye,” and solo dance performances to Laufey’s “Lover Girl” and LE SSERAFIM’s “Antifragile.”
Once the talent show concluded, the winners of the recycled materials car contest were announced, bringing the evening’s festivities to a close. Reflecting on the event, Granada teacher Ms. Kristine Lu shared that one of the most valuable aspects was seeing, “parents start connecting with each other.” She believes that “a school is only as strong as its community,” and that building those connections is important because, “the students are the ones who will benefit from a stronger community.”
Overall, staff, teachers, parents, and students enjoyed participating in and watching the event’s many activities. The STEM Community Event not only highlighted the importance of recycling and reusing materials, but also demonstrated how repurposed items can be transformed into something creative, innovative, and even award-winning.
