PRIEST RIVER — Priest River Lamanna High School plans to show how STEaM lessons and skills learned at school are applicable for careers later in life through the school's first STEaM Olympics today.

"Kids and adults both will get to see that what we do with STEaM is not 'boring,' but some of the most fun they will ever have," said PRLHS science teacher Shannon Fraser in an email to the Daily Bee.

Businesses, community members, teachers, and students will lead challenge booths where teams go to compete to get as many points as they can throughout the event, Fraser said. At each booth, teams can earn 10 points as they answer a trivia question, compete tasks like making chapstick, have the "best times" in an obstacle course, build a rocket in hopes it will launch the furthest, get out of a breakout room, code an ozobot, and more.

Anyone of any age can participate, Fraser said, and teams can consist of one to five players.

There will be multiple awards consisting of monetary gift cards, rodeo tickets, movie tickets, and more with an award ceremony for the top three teams at the end with prizes.

Fraser said the Idaho STEM Action Center put out a grant for Family and Career STEM Awareness that the West Bonner County district-wide STEaM Club applied for. With the work of 21st Century in the fall, staff saw how much the students of all ages loved the STEaM Carnival, she said.

"So we wanted to make this day a fun team event that invited families and friends to get together and use their fun, competitive spirits, towards the STEaM skills they use everyday," Fraser said. 

While online registration for the event is closed, anyone who would like to participate can register at the door. The event begins with a dinner by any donation at 4:30 p.m., and games begin at 5 p.m. at the PRLHS gym and field. The cost at the door is $2 each or $5 for a team.

"Without the support of our amazing community who is willing to donate their time, resources, and knowledge, we wouldn't be able to put on an event like this," Fraser added. 

"We hope they know that the STEaM Club and our partners, 21st Century and Gear Up, are constantly grateful of their charity. We hope to see everyone out there at the event."

Mary Malone can be reached by email at [email protected] and follow her on Twitter @MaryDailyBee.