Activities promoting science, technology, engineering and math, known collectively as STEM, are frequently on the agenda for students who participate in the 21st Century Community Learning Center After School programs at West Elementary and Russellville Elementary schools. Last week at RES, students divided into groups, and each group was given 13 marshmallows and 15 toothpicks. The students had to work together to see which group could build the tallest snowman that would stand on its own for 15 seconds. RES fourth-grade math teacher Angela Crittenden said the activity encompassed a range of skills, including math, science, problem-solving and a strong emphasis on engineering.

Ari Kate Willingham and Olivia Rice work together to create their group’s snowman.

(Left to right) Nuvia Castro, Andrea Quinones, Keianna Mitchell and Diana Betancourt, fourth graders, were part of the winning group whose snowman stood at 8 3/4 inches high.