MIS Hosts Its First-Ever STEAM Day!
by Greg McGuire, MYP Coordinator, MYP Science Teacher, DP Biology Teacher
On Tuesday, February 25th, Medan Independent School (MIS) proudly hosted its inaugural STEAM Day, an exciting event dedicated to exploring Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. We welcomed teams of K-12 students from Nakamura School, Bina Ceria Mandiri, SMP 31, Sekolah Cita Luhur, Medan Montessori School, Budi Murni 2, and SMAN 1 Kutalimbaru, for a half day filled with innovation, creativity, and problem-solving.
For our K-6 (PAUD – SD6) students, the day was filled with hands-on cooperative challenges designed to encourage teamwork, curiosity, and critical thinking. Students experimented with static electricity, engineered emergency ships to aid stranded survivors, collaborated on a giant marble run, and designed egg-drop devices to safely transport an egg from a high point to the ground. Each activity reinforced key STEAM concepts while fostering a love for exploration and discovery.
Our Grade 7 to 12 (SMP & SMA) students engaged in competitive challenges, where they accumulated points to determine the overall winners at each level. These challenges tested their problem-solving, creativity, and technical skills across multiple STEAM disciplines. Participants programmed robots to complete tasks, engineered waterwheels capable of performing work, and even composed original musical pieces, which they performed using instruments they built themselves. They also tackled a math escape room, applying logical reasoning and teamwork to unlock solutions.
A real highlight of MIS’s STEAM Day was the variety of challenges, ensuring that each element of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics was represented. Some students who had attended other STEAM events in Jakarta noted that those focused primarily on engineering, whereas MIS’s event offered a broader experience, allowing participants to explore different disciplines and see how they connect.
We concluded the event with a lunch together, where students and teachers celebrated their achievements while the winners of the SMP and SMA events were announced. Each event was scored out of a possible 600 points, and the results were as follows:
SMP Winners:
1st Place – Nakamura Team 5 (426 points)
2nd Place – MIS Team 11 (413 points)
3rd Place – MIS Team 12 (406 points)
SMA Winners:
1st Place – MIS Team 15 (434 points)
2nd Place – MIS Team 14 (413 points)
3rd Place – Kutalimbaru (411 points)
STEAM Day was a dynamic and inspiring experience for all involved, highlighting the power of innovation, collaboration, and hands-on learning. We look forward to making STEAM Day a tradition and continuing to foster a passion for STEAM education in our students! We are thankful to all the schools that participated in the event. Each of their students was a great ambassador for their school and we hope to have them back at MIS in the near future!
