MY HERO Celebrates Ascot Elementary’s Inspiring Showcase at Region East’s Annual STEAMFest

CONTACT:                                                            FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jeanne Meyers
Co-founder/Director
The MY HERO Project
[email protected] 

MY HERO Celebrates Ascot Elementary’s Inspiring Showcase at Region East’s Annual STEAMFest
California Science Center – Los Angeles, CA | April 14, 2025

MY HERO is proud to have supported Ascot Avenue Elementary School as they proudly participated in Region East’s Annual STEAMFest at the California Science Center—a dynamic event dedicated to celebrating student creativity, innovation, and exploration in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM).

MY HERO at the STEAMfestMY HERO

Ascot students shined brightly among schools from across the region, sharing their hard work and creativity across three unique exhibits:

Ascot’s Science Club captivated visitors with hands-on experiments and interactive displays, showcasing student-led investigations into environmental science, forces in motion, and more. Their passion for inquiry and teamwork was on full display as they presented their findings and inspired younger students to ask big questions.

The Girls Who Code Club presented innovative digital projects, from beginner coding games to creative problem-solving apps. The club empowers girls with essential computer science skills and confidence to lead in tech—making their presence at STEAMFest an exciting example of representation in action.

MY HERO’s STEAM Film Showcase featured powerful student-made films created during a recent MY HERO workshop that concluded in March. These short films combined storytelling, scientific themes, and visual creativity—giving students a platform to raise awareness about topics like climate change, recycling, and community heroes through their own voices and perspectives.

From science to storytelling, Ascot Avenue Elementary embodied the spirit of STEAMFest—celebrating curiosity, innovation, and community. MY HERO is honored to support these young changemakers and can’t wait to see where their creativity leads them next.

STEAM FESTLAUSD 

MY HERO  interviewed Ms Garces, a teacher at Ascot Elementary and one of the leads for Ascot's Science Club whose classes are current participants in the MU HERO filmmaking workshop.

1.    What were some of the highlights of the STEAMFest for you and your students?

At STEAM fest, our students enjoyed going to other tables and seeing the various projects other students at different schools were working on. A highlight for me was seeing our students interact and be taught by other students. They were able to learn about robotics and even try programming one themselves. 

2.    How did your students respond to the experience? Were there any surprises in how they engaged?

Ascot students at STEAMFestLAUSD

Our students responded very well to the experience! They loved how many different opportunities they had to learn about something new. STEAM isn't just Science; schools had films playing that they've created with technology.

3.    What inspired you both to lead the science club at Ascot Elementary?

Ms. Dawson and I both share a passion for environmental science! I actually graduated with a B.S. In Biology and have always loved to teach science in my classroom. When Ms. Dawson presented this idea of running a Science club after school, I immediately hopped on board and asked to join her.

4.    What kind of activities or experiments do you usually do with the students?

We focus mainly on our workbook (created by the lovely Ms. Dawson), but with our budget, we've already been able to take our students to the COSM theater, the SOFi stadium, and recently STEAM fest at the CA Science Center. These field trips give students an opportunity to learn outside of the classroom and visit places they've never been before. Before and after a field trip, we talk about the place we're going to and review with the students what aspects of Science are involved in the trip. We're also planning a school-wide campus clean up on Earth Day where our Science club members will facilitate and guide other classes to pick up trash throughout the day. Our eco-explorers have planned to go to classrooms and present a Canva presentation about the importance of Earth Day that they're very excited about too!

5.    How do you keep the students excited and curious about science?

It can be difficult, especially meeting on Fridays after a long school week, but we've created engaging lessons where students can use their prior knowledge to contribute. They love using the hand motions Ms. Dawson creates when we review vocabulary, and we always incorporate hands-on learning in some type of way (ex. going outside to observe and identify different clouds).

6.    Have you noticed any long-term impact the club has had on your students?

We just started our club a few weeks ago, but the students are always excited to earn their next badge and have pride when they wear their sashes at school and tell their friends about it. We can see how much the club is already inspiring other students to join next year!

7.    After the STEAM fair, are there any new directions or goals for the science club?

I think our future goals are to finish the year with all students completing their community project and earning all their badges! In the future for next school year, we'd love to apply for a bigger budget/funding to provide students with more opportunities to experiment in the classroom.

8.    What advice would you give to other teachers looking to start or grow a science or STEAM club at their school?

To any teacher looking to start a STEAM club at their school, it's a lot of work but totally worth it if you're interested in Science! The amount of work we put in behind the scenes is pretty intense but seeing it all come together and watching the students learn is priceless. I'd also tell teachers to give themselves grace. It won't be perfect the first (or maybe second) year you start your club, but it's all trial and error. You'll find what works for you and make it your own!