The aroma of science mingled with the joy of reading, art and building Tuesday at Venable Village Elementary School’s STEM Day.
Librarian Leslie Rowe hosted the event on National STEM Day with help from local partners.
Words Unite Bookstore operator Ashley Knight, with non-profit Leaders Readers Network provided books to give away to the school’s fifth- and second-graders.
Those students spent an hour each in the library working on a variety of projects from building lighthouses with Lego building blocks to mixing essential oils.
Emily Wright brought a variety of scents she uses to make lotions and body sprays to demonstrate the power of aromas.
The activities students participated in corresponded to STEM-related books that they got to choose and take home.
“I wanted them to be able to engage in STEM activities and the community provided the supplies,” Rowe said, praising the partnership.
“They are showing a lot of energy and engagement,” said Knight. “They are learning how smells can remind them of cooking or a restaurant – how it relates to everyday life.”
Introducing different oils, Wright explained to students that the scent of roses, lemons or raspberries might produce different thoughts and memories.
Strawberry might make you feel happy, while lavender might make you sleepy.
Fifth-graders Ashante Smith and Faith Harkin-Williams said they enjoyed the interesting, active way of learning.
“Some of the smells were kind of good and some were kind of bad,” said Smith, describing the scents of grapefruit, hot fudge and pumpkin.
“Today is STEM Day,” said Harkin-Williams, “and we did art and math, too. It was fun.”