The annual Ideas for Good STREAM (science, technology, religion, engineering, art and mathematics) competition took place April 25, at St. Angela Merici School in Fairview Park.
“Students were asked to come up with an innovation that would help a person or group of people succeed in a task with which they previously had difficulty. Not only did students have to use the engineering design cycle to create and test an idea and make a prototype, but they had to make sure the idea was promoting goodness and building compassion,” said Jenny Miroglotta, diocesan curriculum coordinator and STREAM Competition organizer.
(See photo gallery above.)
Presented by the diocesan Office of Catholic Education, this year’s theme, "Innovating for Equity," brought together more than 130 students from 16 different Catholic elementary schools.
A total of 38 pitches were submitted for this year’s competition, with 21 finalists chosen to compete in person before a panel of judges. Winners were selected in each of three grade categories, with team members receiving medals from Frank O’Linn, diocesan superintendent of schools. Thanks to event sponsor Digital Academy Education Management System, each winning STREAM team also received a $250 award to help turn their idea into reality.
K-2 winners were:
First place: Band-Aid Box, St. Angela Merici School
Grades 3-5 winners were:
First place: Single Mom Savior, Lakewood Catholic Academy
Second place: Happy Kids Healing Pads, Holy Family School, Parma
Third place: Every Voice Counts, St. Brendan School
Grades 6-8 winners were:
First place: Kangaroo Kicks, St. Sebastian School
Second place: 3D for ADHD, St. Sebastian School
Third place: Stress for Rest, Holy Family School, Parma
For the second consecutive year, the pitch competition was paired with an Entrepreneur Fair, creating an interactive showcase of innovation, creativity and problem solving. Twenty different young entrepreneur groups from eight elementary schools showcased and sold original products. With a strong focus on caring for others in the community, a portion of sales proceeds supported both local and national charitable causes, ranging from Zelie’s Home, a local nonprofit that serves pregnant and parenting women, to marine conservation efforts.
The following schools participated in the Entrepreneur Fair:
St. Angela Merici School: Moonlit Lures, Wax Wizards, Beads for Needs, Magnets for Marine Life, Saving Sunflowers, The Happy Bee, Stress Balloons
St. Benedict School: When Life Gives You Lemons…
St. Bernadette School: The Last Resort, M+E Anxiety Relief, Lovely, Ducks with Love, ME Creative Designs
St. Brendan School: Cloth Checkers and Chess Boards
St. Jude School: Jaguar Helpers
St. Mark School: Bea’s Dragons & Luci and Milli’s Bracelets
St. Mary School, Chardon: Sally’s Soap, Holy Chains, Multi-Sugar Lip Balm
St. Mary Byzantine School: Flowers for Moms
In its fourth year, the diocesan STREAM Competition has evolved since being reimagined following the 2020 pandemic, “…to more fully embrace Catholic values, while at the same time incorporating the engineering design cycle common in STEM education,” Miroglotta said. “The competition directly impacts student learning by asking children to consider STEM concepts, Catholic values and communication, all to create a better world.”