Haines STEAM Fest Sparks Big Dreams and Bright Futures

Over the weekend, Haines hosted a lively STEAM Fest to introduce students to T3 Alaska and Upward Bound. Haines Coach Alex Van Wyhe, an inspiring educator, brought energy and heart to the event—meeting students where they’re at and encouraging them to dream big. The event was co-hosted by Upward Bound Director Michelle Spillane and featured UAF “CyberPod” members Petie Deveer and Hailey Hodgins.

The collaboration highlighted the power of combining Upward Bound’s commitment to post-secondary and partnering with T3 Alaska’s engaging, hands-on tech challenges that connect learning to real community needs. Students soldered a mini radio station and built a solar panel exchanger with a buzzer. Spillane shared a vision for the next step: connecting the panels to charge cell phones in emergencies when traditional power sources aren’t available.

“These students are so vested in their learning,” Spillane said. “This is exactly the kind of skill-building that empowers them to reach for their futures. I’m honored to help provide the resources they need to graduate high school and pursue college to reach their goals while providing hands-on applications to their skills.”