Settlers Christmas STEM Carnival - Thank You!

What a beautiful day December 6th was! Thank you for filling our Christmas STEM Carnival with curiosity, laughter, and warmth across generations.

What Made It Special

More than 45 groups of families and friends explored together

31 stars lit up with love on Santa’s Igloo

Forest symphonies composed by more than 20 fruits and flowers

$72 raised for Starship Children’s Hospital

 What Made it Amazing

Santa’s Showdown: Human vs. AI

Watching you navigate our miniature villages, some using human memory and reasoning, others using AI cameras, sparked exactly the conversations we hoped for.

What we learned together: Speed isn’t everything. Human creativity and adaptability remain irreplaceable. The best future has both working together.

Santa’s Igloo: Lighting Up Love

Each small blessing really is like a Christmas candle, warm and beautiful.

Forest Symphony

You grew digital trees, discovered which creatures help ecosystems thrive, and composed music by touching plants. The joy of creating forest symphonies together, just like magic!

The question that resonated: “A tree needs water and light… but what else helps life truly flourish?” Our answers: time, resilience through challenges (like tree knots that make wood stronger), and connection to community.

Charity Craft Market

Your generosity raised $72 for children in Starship Hospital. Thank you for showing that the best gifts come from our hands and hearts.

What You Taught Us

Different kinds of intelligence and experience are all valuable.

The real magic wasn't just technology, but watching generations learn together and teach each other. Curiosity is ageless, and takes many forms.

Thank You

To participants: For bringing your stories, patience, and openness. 

To our team: Your skills and dedication makes the transformation of our ideas into reality

possible.

To Anne and Glenda from Settlers:  Your support has created space for everyone to participate meaningfully. Thanks again for the delicious snacks prepared by Anne.

Final Thoughts

We set out to explore connections: between people and nature, people and people, people and technology. What we discovered was simpler and more profound:

When we create spaces for curiosity, remove barriers, and invite generations to learn together, magic happens.

Like tree knots that become entangled and robust, our shared challenges and discoveries made us all a little stronger, a little wiser, and a little more connected.

Thank you for lighting up stars in our constellation.

Until our next adventure,

The KORU STEM Team

Reflections from our teammates:

During the summer holidays, we returned to the Settlers to host a Christmas carnival filled with interactive activities for the residents to enjoy. The team dressed up in festive costumes and laughed along with the 50 residents who attended, having fun while also exploring aspects of STEAM. Our carnival was divided into three main categories: People & Nature (Forest Symphony), People & People (Santa’s Igloo and fundraising sale), and People & Technology (Santa’s Showdown).

Leading up to the event, a lot of careful planning and preparation was required. Since we built everything from scratch, there was an enormous amount to do. One of the biggest challenges was the limited time available, as it coincided with the exam period, so we had to work efficiently. Tasks were divided evenly among the team, with each member taking on responsibilities that suited their strengths. I, Natalie, was assigned the job of designing and creating the igloo (both interior and exterior), which was a meticulous process, painting each panel with careful attention to detail. In the end, the final result was stunning and incredibly satisfying. Throughout the preparation, we held regular team meetings to update each other on progress and fine-tune the plans for the day of the carnival.

When the carnival day finally arrived, the team entered the Settlers brimming with excitement. We had already set up our area the day before, so everything looked fantastic—especially the extravagant igloo taking centre stage! After adjusting a few final details, we opened the carnival, and a steady stream of residents began arriving. My favorite part of the day was watching the children’s faces light up as their once-thought-to-be evil vegetables sang “Jingle Bells” at the touch of their hand. I also loved witnessing how the activities brought families together, creating moments of genuine joy to kick off the Christmas season. Seeing their happiness made all the long hours of crafting worthwhile.

Overall, I had an amazing experience at the Settlers, enjoying the chance to meet new people while reconnecting with familiar faces. Huge thanks to Anne Simpson and Glenda Addams for making this incredible event possible!

Natalie K.

The exhibition has been a lovely experience. I have enjoyed not only teaching different generations about stem, but also getting to know their perspectives and knowledge. Everyone was so kind and friendly, and I loved talking to them and seeing their delight. I have enjoyed it so much and would gladly do it again!!

- Aarna P