The classroom is coming alive and to a venue near you this winter within the Gladbrook-Reinbeck community.

G-R Elementary staff will be holding a series of STEM Nights for elementary students and families in late winter as a way to provide fun, hands-on learning opportunities outside of school time. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math and has for several years been a consolidated effort to educate youth toward the evolving workforce demands of the 21st century.

The events are formatted to allow families to “come as you want and stay as long as you like,” according to a letter sent out by the Elementary school administration.

The events are for all families that have students in preschool through 6th Grade at Gladbrook-Reinbeck Community School District.

Activities will give kids a chance to explore a variety of things like coding robots, classroom video game builders, computer programming and virtual reality tools.

There will be two Elementary STEM events held in each community, through February and March. The schedule is as follows:

Gladbrook

Feb. 21 – City Center (upstairs) from 5:30-7 p.m.

March 24 – City Center (upstairs) from 5:30-7 p.m.

Reinbeck

Feb. 24 – G-R Elementary Gym from 5:30-7 p.m.

March 22 – G-R Elementary Gym from 5:30-7 p.m.

Snacks will be provided at each of the STEM Night events. G-R staff will be on hand to help lead the various hands-on activities, which will be the same at each venue.

For more information families are encouraged to contact Elementary Principal Shaun Lehmann at shaun.lehmann@gr-rebels.net or (319) 345-2822