The Rotary Club of Larchmont played a key role in supporting The STEM Alliance’s mission by funding a hands-on soldering activity featured at the STEM-tastic Festival, held at the Westchester Children’s Museum on May 9th. This popular annual event brought together children and families for an exciting day of STEM exploration, offering activities that inspire curiosity and creativity. The Rotary Club’s contribution enabled The STEM Alliance to provide all materials needed for kids to safely participate in an introductory soldering experience, helping bridge the gap between curiosity and real-world technical skills.
The funded activity centered around assembling the Makey Robot Solder Skill Badge, a fun and educational project that teaches the fundamentals of soldering. Children learned how to use a soldering iron to attach electronic components—such as LEDs, resistors, and batteries—onto a custom-designed circuit board shaped like a robot. With the help of trained volunteers, participants gained hands-on experience in basic electronics, while also developing patience, focus, and problem-solving skills. The finished badge not only lit up, but also served as a physical reminder of what they accomplished through perseverance and learning.
This partnership between the Larchmont Rotary Club and The STEM Alliance exemplifies the power of community collaboration to enhance educational experiences. By funding this soldering station, our Rotary Club directly supported the mission of The STEM Alliance, ensuring that children of all backgrounds could take part in a high-quality, skill-building activity. The club's investment in this initiative reflects its ongoing dedication to youth development, innovation, and preparing the next generation for a technology-driven future.
Click here to see more STEM-tastic photos in a photo gallery.
Video highlights from the event can be seen on this link: https://youtu.be/ZaJvYioOGtA?si=UXGaVhLvq3ooml3b
