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STREAM Night & Family Event Guide

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Overview

STREAM Night is a celebration of student learning that brings families together to experience hands-on Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Art, and Math activities. This guide provides everything you need to plan a successful STREAM Night or family showcase event at Our Lady of the Prairie Catholic School.

Why Host a STREAM Night?

Benefit Description
Family Engagement Parents experience what their children learn
Student Pride Children showcase their work and explain their thinking
Community Building Strengthens school-family-parish connections
Faith Integration Demonstrates how faith and reason work together
STEM Excitement Generates enthusiasm for STEM learning
Recruitment Attracts prospective families to your school

Event Format Options

Duration: 90 minutes
Best For: Displaying student work from throughout the year

Structure:

  • Students stand by their projects

  • Families rotate through displays

  • Students explain their work to visitors

  • Interactive elements at each station

Option 2: Interactive STREAM Stations

Duration: 2 hours
Best For: Hands-on family experiences

Structure:

  • 6-8 activity stations around the space

  • Families rotate every 15-20 minutes

  • Each station has a hands-on challenge

  • Volunteers facilitate each station

Option 3: STREAM Fair (Competition Format)

Duration: 3 hours
Best For: Older students (grades 3-6)

Structure:

  • Students complete projects at home

  • Projects displayed with tri-fold boards

  • Judges evaluate using rubrics

  • Awards ceremony at conclusion

Option 4: Family Engineering Night

Duration: 90 minutes
Best For: Maximum participation

Structure:

  • Families work together on challenges

  • All families do the same activity simultaneously

  • Emphasis on teamwork and fun

  • Simple, no-pressure format

Planning Timeline

8 Weeks Before Event

Week 8 Tasks:

  • Choose event date (check parish/school calendar)

  • Select event format

  • Reserve venue (gym, cafeteria, parish hall)

  • Create planning committee

  • Set budget with administration

  • Begin promoting to families

Committee Roles: | Role | Responsibilities | |------|------------------| | Event Coordinator | Overall planning, communication | | Volunteer Coordinator | Recruit and train helpers | | Setup/Cleanup Lead | Room arrangement, teardown | | Materials Manager | Gather and organize supplies | | Technology Support | Projector, music, slideshow | | Hospitality Lead | Refreshments, welcome table |

6 Weeks Before Event

Week 6 Tasks:

  • Send "Save the Date" to families

  • Recruit volunteers (need 10-15 for medium event)

  • Identify which projects/activities to feature

  • Order any special supplies

  • Coordinate with parish for opening prayer leader

  • Plan refreshments (simple is fine!)

4 Weeks Before Event

Week 4 Tasks:

  • Send detailed invitation with RSVP

  • Create station activity plans

  • Confirm volunteer assignments

  • Design event signage

  • Plan any student presentations

  • Arrange for photographer (yearbook staff?)

2 Weeks Before Event

Week 2 Tasks:

  • Finalize volunteer schedule

  • Gather all materials

  • Create instruction cards for each station

  • Print student name tags

  • Prepare display boards

  • Send reminder to families

Week of Event

Final Preparation:

  • Confirm RSVP numbers

  • Organize materials by station

  • Create room layout map

  • Prepare volunteer packets

  • Test all technology

  • Set up welcome/registration table materials

Day of Event

Setup (2 hours before):

  • Arrange tables and stations

  • Post directional signs

  • Set up student work displays

  • Prepare each activity station

  • Brief all volunteers

  • Test audio/visual equipment

  • Set out refreshments

Activity Station Ideas

Station 1: Tower Building Challenge

Faith Connection: Building our faith on a strong foundation

Item Details
Materials KEVA planks, straws, marshmallows, spaghetti
Challenge Build the tallest tower in 10 minutes
Scripture "Built on the rock" (Matthew 7:24-27)
Volunteer Needed Yes - 1 facilitator

Station 2: Coding Corner

Faith Connection: God gave us creativity and problem-solving minds

Item Details
Materials Tablets with Scratch Jr., Sphero robots, Code.org printables
Challenge Complete a coding puzzle or program a robot
Scripture "For we are God's handiwork" (Ephesians 2:10)
Volunteer Needed Yes - 1-2 helpers

Station 3: Catapult Launch

Faith Connection: Using our talents to aim for our goals

Item Details
Materials Craft stick catapults, pompoms, target
Challenge Engineer a catapult, hit the target
Scripture "I press on toward the goal" (Philippians 3:14)
Volunteer Needed Yes - 1 facilitator

Station 4: Bridge Building

Faith Connection: Building bridges to serve others

Item Details
Materials Cardboard, tape, string, toy cars for testing
Challenge Build a bridge that holds the most weight
Scripture "Bear one another's burdens" (Galatians 6:2)
Volunteer Needed Yes - 1 facilitator

Station 5: Art & Math Symmetry

Faith Connection: Finding God's patterns in creation

Item Details
Materials Graph paper, colored pencils, symmetry cards
Challenge Create symmetrical designs
Scripture "He has made everything beautiful" (Ecclesiastes 3:11)
Volunteer Needed Optional

Station 6: Science Discovery

Faith Connection: Exploring God's wonderful creation

Item Details
Materials Magnifying glasses, nature items, microscopes
Challenge Observe and draw what you discover
Scripture "The heavens declare the glory of God" (Psalm 19:1)
Volunteer Needed Yes - 1 facilitator

Station 7: Circuit Creations

Faith Connection: Being a light to the world

Item Details
Materials Snap circuits, batteries, LED lights
Challenge Complete a circuit to light up an LED
Scripture "You are the light of the world" (Matthew 5:14)
Volunteer Needed Yes - 1 helper

Station 8: Prayer & Reflection

Faith Connection: Center of our STREAM learning

Item Details
Materials Prayer cards, journals, quiet seating
Activity Write a prayer of thanks for God's creation
Scripture Various creation and wonder verses
Volunteer Needed Optional

Student Showcase Format

Project Display Setup

Each Student Display Includes:

  • Student project/artifact

  • Name card with grade

  • Brief description card (3-5 sentences)

  • Optional: photo of student working on project

Display Description Template: 

My C-STREAM Project: ____________________
My Name: _____________ Grade: ___

What I Made: ________________________
___________________________________

What I Learned: _____________________
___________________________________

How This Shows My Faith: _____________
___________________________________

Student Presentation Tips

Teach Students to Say: 1. "Hi! My name is _____ and I'm in ___ grade." 2. "This is my _____ project." 3. "I made this by..." 4. "I learned that..." 5. "Do you have any questions?"

Practice Before Event:

  • Partner practice in class

  • Present to another classroom

  • Practice with parents at home

  • Role-play with teacher

Sample Event Schedule

Interactive Station Night (2 Hours)

Time Activity
6:00 PM Doors open, welcome, sign-in
6:10 PM Opening prayer and welcome
6:15 PM Instructions and station assignments
6:20 PM Station Rotation 1
6:40 PM Station Rotation 2
7:00 PM Station Rotation 3
7:20 PM Station Rotation 4
7:40 PM Closing gathering, thank yous
7:50 PM Refreshments and free exploration
8:00 PM Event concludes

Student Showcase (90 Minutes)

Time Activity
6:00 PM Doors open, welcome, sign-in
6:10 PM Opening prayer and introduction
6:15 PM Principal welcome message
6:20 PM Families explore student displays
7:00 PM Optional: Brief student presentations
7:20 PM Closing prayer of gratitude
7:25 PM Refreshments
7:30 PM Event concludes

Faith Integration Ideas

Opening Prayer

Creator God,

Thank you for the gift of wonder and curiosity. Thank you for the minds You have given us to explore Your creation.

Tonight, we celebrate learning together as a community. Help us see Your hand in science, technology, engineering, art, and math.

Bless our families as they discover and create together. May everything we learn draw us closer to You.

We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Closing Prayer

Loving God,

Thank you for this time together as a school family. We are grateful for our students and all they have learned. We are grateful for our teachers who guide them with faith and love. We are grateful for families who support learning at home.

As we go home tonight, help us continue to wonder, to question, and to discover. May we use our talents to serve others and glorify You.

We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Scripture Station Signs

Print these signs for each station:

Station Theme Scripture
Building/Engineering "Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain." - Psalm 127:1
Light/Electricity "The Lord is my light and my salvation." - Psalm 27:1
Nature/Science "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it." - Psalm 24:1
Coding/Technology "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works." - Ephesians 2:10
Art/Creativity "He has filled them with skill to do all manner of work." - Exodus 35:35
Math/Patterns "But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way." - 1 Corinthians 14:40

Room Layout Suggestions

Gym/Large Space Setup

+---------------------------------------------------------+
|                    WELCOME TABLE                        |
|                   (Registration)                        |
+---------------------------------------------------------+
|                                                         |
|   +---------+                         +---------+       |
|   |Station 1|                         |Station 2|       |
|   | Building|                         | Coding  |       |
|   +---------+                         +---------+       |
|                                                         |
|                  +-------------+                        |
|                  |  GATHERING  |                        |
|                  |    AREA     |                        |
|                  | (for prayer,|                        |
|                  |announcements|                        |
|                  +-------------+                        |
|                                                         |
|   +---------+                         +---------+       |
|   |Station 3|                         |Station 4|       |
|   |Catapult |                         | Bridge  |       |
|   +---------+                         +---------+       |
|                                                         |
|   +---------+                         +---------+       |
|   |Station 5|                         |Station 6|       |
|   |Art/Math |                         | Science |       |
|   +---------+                         +---------+       |
|                                                         |
|                  +-------------+                        |
|                  |REFRESHMENTS |                        |
|                  +-------------+                        |
+---------------------------------------------------------+

Classroom Showcase Setup

For displaying student work in hallways/classrooms:

  • Tables along walls

  • Clear walking paths in center

  • Signs at eye level for students

  • Good lighting on displays

Volunteer Information

Volunteer Roles Needed

Role Number Duties
Welcome/Registration 2 Greet families, hand out maps
Station Facilitators 6-8 Guide activity at assigned station
Floaters 2-3 Help where needed, manage supplies
Cleanup Crew 4-6 Post-event teardown
Photographer 1 Capture the event
Refreshment Host 2 Manage food/drinks

Volunteer Briefing Script

Read to volunteers before event:

"Thank you for helping with STREAM Night! Here are a few things to remember:

  1. Be welcoming - Smile and greet every family
  2. Encourage participation - Every family can do every activity
  3. Let kids lead - Guide, don't take over
  4. Keep it positive - There's no wrong way to explore
  5. Connect to faith - Use the scripture signs as conversation starters
  6. Watch the clock - Help families move when it's time
  7. Have fun! - Your enthusiasm is contagious

Questions? Find me (Event Coordinator) in the _____ area."

Supplies Checklist

General Supplies

  • Name tags for students

  • Sign-in sheets

  • Event programs/maps

  • Directional signs

  • Station number signs

  • Table covers

  • Extension cords

  • First aid kit

  • Trash bags

  • Paper towels

  • Tape (masking and clear)

  • Markers and pens

  • Scissors

Station-Specific Supplies

Building Station:

  • KEVA planks (200+)

  • Straws (100+)

  • Marshmallows (large bag)

  • Uncooked spaghetti (3 boxes)

  • Tape

Coding Station:

  • Tablets with apps loaded (4-6)

  • Sphero robots (if available)

  • Printed coding worksheets

  • Pencils

Catapult Station:

  • Pre-made craft stick catapults (10+)

  • Pompoms or cotton balls

  • Targets (buckets/boxes)

  • Measuring tape

Bridge Station:

  • Cardboard pieces

  • Masking tape

  • String

  • Toy cars for testing

  • Books for weight testing

Art/Math Station:

  • Graph paper

  • Colored pencils

  • Symmetry example cards

  • Rulers

Science Station:

  • Magnifying glasses (10+)

  • Nature items (shells, leaves, rocks)

  • Drawing paper

  • Pencils

Circuit Station:

  • Snap circuit kits (4-6)

  • Extra batteries

  • Simple circuit instructions

Refreshments

  • Lemonade or water

  • Cookies or simple snacks

  • Napkins

  • Cups

  • Ice

Communication Templates

Save the Date (8 Weeks Before)

Subject: Save the Date - C-STREAM Family Night!

Dear Families,

Mark your calendars! Our Lady of the Prairie Catholic School is hosting our annual C-STREAM Family Night on:

📅 Date: [DATE] 🕕 Time: [TIME] 📍 Location: [LOCATION]

Join us for an exciting evening of hands-on Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Art, and Math activities! Families will explore interactive stations, see student projects, and learn together.

More details coming soon!

In Christ, [Teacher/Coordinator Name]

Invitation with RSVP (4 Weeks Before)

Subject: You're Invited! C-STREAM Family Night

Dear [FAMILY NAME],

You're invited to our C-STREAM Family Night!

📅 Date: [DATE] 🕕 Time: [TIME] 📍 Location: [LOCATION]

What to Expect:

  • Interactive STREAM activity stations

  • Student project showcase

  • Family engineering challenges

  • Refreshments

Who Should Come: All family members are welcome! This event is designed for the whole family to enjoy together.

RSVP by [DATE]: Please let us know if you'll be joining us by returning the slip below or emailing [EMAIL].

We can't wait to see you there!

In Christ, [Teacher/Coordinator Name]

✂️ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

STREAM Night RSVP

Student Name(s): _____________________________________

Grade(s): _______

☐ Yes, we will attend! Number of people: _____

☐ Sorry, we cannot attend

Returned by: _________________ (parent signature)

Reminder (1 Week Before)

Subject: Reminder - STREAM Night This [DAY]!

Dear Families,

This is a friendly reminder that C-STREAM Family Night is this [DAY]!

📅 [DATE] 🕕 [TIME] 📍 [LOCATION]

What to Bring:

  • Just yourselves!

  • Optional: camera for photos

Parking: [PARKING DETAILS]

We look forward to an evening of discovery and fun!

In Christ, [Teacher/Coordinator Name]

Budget Estimate

Low-Budget Event ($50-100)

Item Estimated Cost
Consumable supplies (straws, tape, etc.) $30
Refreshments $20-40
Printing (signs, programs) $10-20
Total $60-90

Tip: Use existing classroom materials, ask for parent donations

Medium-Budget Event ($150-300)

Item Estimated Cost
Consumable supplies $50
Additional STREAM materials $75-100
Refreshments $40-60
Printing and signage $30-50
Decorations $20-40
Total $215-300

Full-Scale Event ($400+)

Item Estimated Cost
All supplies $150
Special equipment rental $100+
Catered refreshments $100
Professional printing $50
Decorations $50
Prizes/giveaways $50+
Total $500+

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Low Registration Numbers

Solutions:

  • Send personal reminders

  • Have students invite grandparents

  • Partner with parish events

  • Offer incentives (raffle prize for attendees)

  • Simplify the event to reduce intimidation

Not Enough Volunteers

Solutions:

  • Reduce number of stations

  • Ask 8th graders or Confirmation students to help

  • Partner with Knights of Columbus or other parish groups

  • Have teachers facilitate instead of parents

Running Out of Supplies

Solutions:

  • Have backup simple activities ready

  • Set limits per family at each station

  • Cross-train floaters to help manage supplies

  • Focus on reusable materials

Crowd Management

Solutions:

  • Use timed rotations with a bell/announcement

  • Assign families to starting stations

  • Have clear directional signs

  • Position greeters at each area

Technology Issues

Solutions:

  • Test everything day before

  • Have paper backups for coding activities

  • Bring extra batteries

  • Ensure good WiFi or offline alternatives

After the Event

Thank You Notes

Send within one week:

  • Thank volunteers personally

  • Send note home to all families

  • Thank administration and parish support

  • Acknowledge any sponsors

Documentation

  • Collect photos from volunteers/families

  • Write brief summary for newsletter

  • Note what worked well

  • Note what to improve

  • Save materials list for next year

  • Store reusable supplies properly

Evaluation Questions

Ask Planning Committee: 1. What went really well? 2. What would we do differently? 3. Did families seem engaged? 4. Were there any safety concerns? 5. Was the timeline appropriate? 6. What feedback did you hear from families?

Quick Reference: Event Day Checklist

3 Hours Before

  • Begin room setup

  • Post all signage

  • Arrange furniture

2 Hours Before

  • Set up all stations

  • Test technology

  • Lay out supplies

  • Set up welcome table

1 Hour Before

  • Brief volunteers

  • Final walk-through

  • Set out refreshments

  • Music/ambiance ready

15 Minutes Before

  • Stations staffed

  • Greeters in place

  • Doors open

  • Prayer leader ready

During Event

  • Monitor supply levels

  • Take photos

  • Troubleshoot as needed

  • Announce transitions

After Event

  • Thank everyone publicly

  • Begin cleanup

  • Collect unused supplies

  • Lock up properly

  • Celebrate with your team!

Resources

Printable Materials

"Let us work together in faith and wonder, building a community that celebrates God's gift of learning."

Our Lady of the Prairie Catholic School
Belle Plaine, MN · Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis