Children play outside the entrance of Buildfest
Bubbles and scurrying children greeted me as I walked in the front doors of Watauga High School. The generally orderly halls were replaced with fold tables, balloons, and young children. On Saturday, April 1, the annual Buildfest, organized by the Children’s Playhouse, was once again a great success.
Buildfest is part of the NC Science Festival and is an admission-free event. This is the 8th year that Buildfest has been hosted. It offers a variety of activities for children and strives to encourage more hands-on learning.
“The goal is to promote learning in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math, STEAM,”said Kathy Parham, organizer of the event.
Screen printing with the Two Rivers Community School, decorating cookies with the CCC&TI Culinary Arts department, and learning to play the dulcimer were just a few of the many fun activities present.
“The playhouse brings about 40 of the activities that are here and that they built us, and we have about 27 activities brought by our sponsor groups,” said Parham.
Children were having a blast, running around with frosting on the tips of their noses, sticking cornstarch noodles together into sculptures, and creating their own cardboard city. This much-needed creative outlet allowed children to socialize and learn new things all at the same time.
Around 200 volunteers and several local sponsors were able to pull off this elaborate event. The Children’s Playhouse was the mastermind that created Screenprinting with Two Rivers Community Buildfest, but it wouldn’t have been School possible without the support of OPSmiles, ECRS, Moltox, NC Science Festival, and many more collaborators.
“We publicized it with the High School, ASU, Caldwell, and Lees McRae. We tried to connect with professors and with various volunteer engagements,” said Parham.
Science shows and games were set up by various ASU departments, including the Geology, Chemistry, Engineering, and Anthropology departments. Professors and students volunteered and sought to cultivate an appreciation for the sciences while they spent time with the children.
Food and drinks were provided for the entirety of the event. The Cardinal food truck was stationed outside. Coffee, baked goods, fruit, and pizza were located in the commons for a “pay what you can” approach. Stickboy Bakery, Hole Lotta Donuts, and Hatchet were just a few of the many food donors that contributed to the event.
The Watauga County Public Library, Cardboard City,
and Angry Birds all found in the gym
Not only were children able to enjoy their time at Buildfest, but parents and volunteers had the opportunity to engage and have fun with the kids. There was a calm down corner in the library for some down time along with a family resource center that offered professional guidance and information to parents.
“The best part of Buildfest for me was getting to see the kids just enjoy their time,” said senior Piper Saunders, volunteer. “I was helping build a collaborative wood sculpture, the kids really got creative with it and the end product was amazing”.
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