Young scientists put their skills to the test Saturday at the Capitol Region Engineering Science and Technology (C.R.E.S.T) competition, hosted by the Elk Grove Unified School District.
More than 500 elementary students enrolled in C.R.E.S.T participated in the contest that focused on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) activities.
C.R.E.S.T is an afterschool program that encourages students to pursue careers in STEM-related fields.
“They get to build bridges, towers, and they get to use robots and technology,” said sixth grade teacher Michael Mullen. “That's what makes it fun. So, it turns them on to these kinds of fields for the future.”
Mullen says C.R.E.S.T also focuses on reaching out to girls and minority students.
“They're underrepresented in these fields, and so that's where we put our emphasis,” Mullen adds.
Through the friendly competition, organizers say kids are also taught to be respectful, forgiving, and flexible.
“We're grateful for a program like this to be offered. It’s something that teachers are going above and beyond their regular call of an 8 to 10-hour work day,” said Roseanna Basurto.
Basurto’s 6th grade son, Xavier, has been a part of C.R.E.S.T since fourth grade.
“Math is one of his strongest subjects, so for him to be able to put all of this together and be able to do extracurricular stuff within the school that supports building, and that type of thing – it's been really good for him,” Basurto adds.
According to EGUSD officials, data shows that students who have participated in the C.R.E.S.T program have reported increased interest in participating in STEM activities as well as increased self-efficacy in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and math.