The Mason City Fire Department engages in the annual North Iowa STEM Festival to highlight the integral role that science, technology, engineering, and mathematics play in the field of firefighting. Participation is rewarding not only for participants but for the presenters as well. We get so much interaction with the participants, kids and parents alike, asking questions, wanting to touch, and do the activities. Young minds have a remarkable capacity for swiftly absorbing information. Everyone learns something and benefits from the festival.
The STEM Festival encounters a wide variety of activities to help teach why learning is important in all subjects but focuses on science, technology, engineering, and math. It provides hands-on activities to show, develop, and understand how things work or what they do.
STEM activities are an integral part of our daily lives, whether at home or in various professional careers. Firefighters apply scientific principles to understand fire behavior, chemistry, and physics. Technology plays a crucial role in hazardous material monitoring, enabling the identification of materials, safe exposure limits, and appropriate cleanup and disposal methods. Thermal imagers assist firefighters in navigating through smoke and detecting heat signatures of hot spots when flames are not visible. Engineering expertise is essential in building construction to determine the necessity of passive or active fire protection systems. Additionally, mathematical calculations are vital for determining water volume, friction loss, and the correct height and angle for ladders. Consider these examples: Are you aware of the length of ladder required for a three-story house? Do you know how to determine the correct climbing angle? How about a friction loss calculation for water demand on a hose line? Our Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and paramedics must possess expertise in accurately determining the appropriate medication dosage for patients during critical lifesaving interventions. These are only a few examples of STEM in a firefighting career.
During my previous participation in the STEM Festival, I delivered a presentation on fire sprinkler systems, focusing on the engineering principles behind them. The presentation detailed how these systems activate at various temperatures, the number of sprinklers that may be triggered, and the distinct water flow patterns associated with upright, pendant, or sidewall sprinkler heads. Attendees were presented with tangible examples to examine, as hands-on activities enhance comprehension. This approach was positively received by the participants.
Training never stops; we continue to learn and develop through STEM activities. I strongly encourage everyone to participate in the festival, particularly children, as they represent our future. All professions incorporate STEM elements, offering a plethora of possibilities. We are only constrained by our imagination; therefore, it is imperative to foster and expand the imaginative capacities of our youth. By participating in a STEM Festival, you may be helping shape the next “Albert Einstein” minds!
Written by: Randy Elsbernd, Mason City Fire Department
Want to learn more about participating in the North Iowa STEM Festival? Contact Allyson Krull ([email protected]) for more information or scan the QR to sign up as an exhibitor!