PINEHURST — One person's trash is another person's junk bot.

Using their imagination, creativity, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) skills, 20 students from both Pinehurst Elementary School and Kellogg Middle School worked with their families to create “junk bots” during last month’s STEM night.

Held in Pinehurst Elementary’s new Think, Make, Create (TMC) Lab, the junk bots are made by students with recycled materials like plastic bottles and cardboard tubes.

The lab itself is a mobile makerspace — which basically means that it is highly portable and can be used in a diverse amount of places and ways.

The night of science fun was made possible thanks to the combined efforts of the PES and Kellogg Middle School after-school programs. All attendees had the opportunity to tour the new lab, enjoy snacks and create their bots.

“We had a really great turnout and it was really nice to collaborate with the middle school after-school program,” said Pinehurst After-School Solution (PASS) Director Deanne Fitzgerald.

The staff and volunteers, along with the Pinehurst library, assisted with the design and construction of the junk bots.

“The parameters for the bots were pretty open, utilizing all kinds of recyclables and junk, but we did offer some troubleshooting tips about weight and friction to assist students and families while constructing for mobility. We really had some great designs,” Fitzgerald said.

The goal of PASS is to create a fun, safe place for students to have a snack, complete their homework and engage in enrichment activities, such as STEM, art, music, cooking, community service, physical education, social-emotional learning and literacy activities.

PASS is currently the only after-school program at PES, having students apply at the beginning of the school year, with particular attention to individual academic needs to determine enrollment.

Fitzgerald, along with the other PASS staff, including Cheryl Bryant, Audrey Wadsworth, Mackenzie Woody, Amanda Hooker, Nikki Ludwick and Savannah Higgins, worked with the staff of the KMS after-school program, Wildcats Interactive Student Enrichment (WISE), which included Denise Smith, Melissa Korn, Francis Walker and Rhonda Duce.

Pass and Wise will be hosting parent engagement events in the upcoming program year and Fitzgerald is hoping to come together for another STEM event.

Utilizing the remaining funds from the current year program, PASS will be operating the TMC during the summer. Fitzgerald asks those interested to stay tuned for the scheduled sessions and would like to thank Spokane Teachers Credit Union, Idaho STEM and Idaho out of School Network for the funding to provide STEM outreach to the Silver Valley.