What Do Dream Parks Look Like to Kids? — Episode 018

The nation’s largest STEM (science, technology, engineering and
mathematics) celebration took place this past weekend at the
Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. The
5th USA Science and Engineering Festival featured more than 3,000
exhibits, 30 stage shows and attracted approximately 350,000
people. This year’s theme was “Where can STEM take you?” and the
primary goal of the weekend was to inspire the thousands of kids
in attendance.


The hands-on festivities of the weekend included playing games
with robots, flight simulators, going on virtual reality space
missions and our personal favorite here at NRPA, designing your
own dream park.


This was our first year exhibiting at the STEM fest, and we
wanted to show festival goers that parks and recreation centers
are a great place for youth to engage in the variety of STEM
programs that are being offered at many park and rec agencies
across the country.


The highlight of my time at the STEM fest was asking kids if they
enjoyed going to their local parks, and seeing their eyes light
up. Once I asked them to draw what their dream park would look
like, and that they could include anything they wanted, they
eagerly grabbed a piece of paper and crayons and let their
imaginations run wild.


Seeing the joy and excitement that these kids got out of being
able to design their dream park brought me back to my childhood
when all I wanted was a park where I could ride omalimphs (yes,
that’s what I called elephants), have life-size Lego houses and
pools full of Nickelodeon slime. Kids love their parks, even if
they don’t have friendly dragons, unicorns, or ice cream
airplanes. If I ever had any doubt in my mind about that, my
faith was restored this weekend.


As park and recreation professionals, we are in such a great
position to offer programs and activities that inspire the next
generation, get them active and keep their creativity and
imaginations alive and well.


Implementing STEM programs that are both fun and educational is a
great start, and the rewards are priceless. I had a blast at the
STEM fest this weekend, and thanks to all the kids who took me on
imaginary tours of their dream parks — and a very special
thank you to their very patient parents!


Click here to learn more about the USA Science and Engineering
Festival.