Full STEAM Ahead
Manteca High hosts evening for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math
By NICOLE HERRERA & GUADALUPE ENRIQUEZ
Manteca High held its STEAM Night on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022, with many activities such as student art exhibits, theatre music and monologues, demonstrations of student designed models from the robotics club, and a slime table.
The Robotics Club stole the night with its creative models as they were helping children program and function the robots. The advisor for the Robotics Club, Judith Tuddao, is a huge advocate for promoting STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics – and believes STEAM Night is an excellent idea.
GUADALUPE ENRIQUEZ/The Tower
Many mechanical robots are displayed in the library that were created by the Algebra 1 with Robotics class taught by Teresa Sicat. The robots are shaped like animals and a crane. All the robots are programmed to move with an object or just to be kinetic.
“My hope is for students to be all aware of what’s going on with robotics and STEAM in general, and that everybody can do this because this is where 21st century learning is,” Tuddao said. “21st century learning in robotics is really a part of STEAM because it helps develop critical thinking, and it has the connection of real life that students will be to use to help them in problem solving. STEAM in general is the holistic approach of every category. It all helps with life skills needed for the future.”
Paola Tapia Moreno, the president of the Robotics Club and one of many volunteers, demonstrated how the robot cars work and assisted anyone who dared to code them to move. Tapia is interested in majoring in computer science and becoming a software engineer. She says that the Robotics Club, which was featured in STEAM Night, has sparked her dreams.
“I’ve known I wanted to be a software engineer since sophomore year because I’ve always been interested in the way technology works,” said Tapia, a senior who wants to attend San Jose State by way of San Joaquin Delta Community College. “STEAM helped me get interested in computer science because I’ve always loved both science and technology.”
On STEAM Night, Tapia worked closely with kids fascinated with coding robots. Her passion comes from her hope to bring representation and motivation to the minority groups.
NICOLE HERRERA/The Tower
Paola Tapia Moreno is working closely with the children in order to make their robotics move. She shares her passion for robotics and STEAM to the guests so that they can understand how important it is to pursue a creative career centered around STEAM. This event was hosted on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022.
RONNIE FUENTES/The Tower
Paola Tapia Moreno, the Robotics Club president, shows off one of the many kinetic robots from STEAM Night on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022. This robot was programmed by multiple students and guests so it could reach a certain destination on the mat.
“What drives my passion for robotics is the future possibility to be seen as visual representation for younger women specifically young women of color who want to go into these types of fields and are intimidated by low gender, racial and ethical diversity,” Tapia said.
Tuddao acknowledges Tapia as a brilliant student with a bright future.
“Paola is my president for Robotics Club, and she is generally a very, very responsible student. She’s a president who is a leader and who initiates stuff and helps a lot to make things happen,” Tuddao said. “Just like STEAM Night, she volunteered. A leader is supposed to be committed and helpful, and that’s her, one of a kind.”
Manteca High students Hemy Das and Ronnie Fuentes contributed to this report
Manteca High Robotics club at a glance:
ADVISOR: Mrs. Judith Tuddao
TRAINER: Mrs. Teresa Sicat
PRESIDENT: Paola Tapia Moreno
VICE PRESIDENT: Samantha Chang
ROOM: S-2
MEETING SCHEDULE: Thursday or Friday after school
