Working on a activity at September's S.T.E.A.M. with a Theme. Photos courtesy of Rapid City First UMC.

“What started as a brainstorm on how to connect new families in the community to God and faith has developed into prompting everyone to think about how God’s finger is in all of creation,” said Anne Torgerson, Director of Education at First United Methodist Church in Rapid City, South Dakota.

First UMC connects with families in the usual ways: Wednesday night activities, Vacation Bible School, and children’s church. The standard connections with children and families were growing stagnant. After prayer and reflection by the leadership at First UMC and those involved in education programs, “S.T.E.A.M. with a Theme” launched. It is a monthly program that invites preschool and elementary children in the community to experience God through Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics. STEAM is a popular educational approach that integrates disciplines to foster skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, and creativity, often through hands-on, real-world applications.

“S.T.E.A.M. is such a buzzword, and people are interested in the concept. Every month, we create activities for each area. In Science, we examine what exists in nature. When we look closely at creation, we can’t help but be in awe of what God has created. That is a form of worship for a new person who is not familiar with worship,” explained Torgerson. “Technology uses tools and processes to create a result. We look at nature, observe the tools and processes created by animals, birds, and insects. We can pattern tools after God’s creation. God has given us all that we need to thrive.”

Torgerson further explained that engineering uses science and math to solve problems. Engaging in engineering activities teaches children that the first attempt to solve a problem often fails, and we must make several attempts.

“In our lives, we attempt and fail, and we try again. We don’t give up because God does not give up on us. His love is patient, unchanging, and sure. We are safe to try and fail surrounded by God’s love,” said Torgerson.

Art is creating beauty with color, light, and form. In nature, it is possible to see all the beauty God created. Torgerson described, “When we create art, we can see that we are created in God’s image.”

Math is recognizing reliable patterns to solve problems. “Reliable patterns allow us to solve problems. God’s nature is consistent and reliable. That enables us to rely on Him,” said Torgerson.

Each month, five stations, one for each of the areas of S.T.E.A.M., are set up in a large area of the church building at First UMC. The children and their parents move freely between the stations. A leader at each station guides participants through a hands-on activity to discover the educational principle and its connection to God’s vast creation and love.

Torgerson works at an elementary school library. Dakota STEAM inspired her. She noticed how students were inspired to engage in learning and first tried the idea last spring. One of the parents attending remarked, “This is so great. The activities are so well thought out. You should do this for the larger community.”

After the trial event, a plan was put in place for S.T.E.A.M. with a Theme for a year. The events, for preschool through elementary students, were planned for Saturday from 9 to 10:30 a.m. People come and go at each station. Participants leave when they complete the activities. Everything takes place in one area of the church.

In September, “S.T.E.A.M. with a Theme” focused on Johnny Appleseed—all things related to apples and Titus 3:1, “Be ready to do whatever is good.” The October theme was Halloween, the pumpkin patch, and “God’s love for us is great!” (John 3:1).

“It is a way to connect someone new to the church and put them in a comfortable spot. Taking something familiar in another context and letting them discover who God is in their lives,” said Torgerson.

November's S.T.E.A.M. with a Theme was "Gratitude in Action."

The November theme was Gratitude in Action, and Psalm 106:1, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is Good.” Each of the November projects helped someone else. One of the activities was shopping for groceries to give away. Participants had a shopping list and fill a child-sized shopping cart with groceries. The groceries must fit into a bag, providing an opportunity to use engineering and math skills.

Torgerson explained, “If you pick the biggest bag of potatoes and the biggest box of stuffing, you will not fit everything in the bag. There are many different items. They have to solve problems. The bags will be decorated. We are putting S.T.E.A.M. in action. Cards are created with a variety of tools. The pastors will distribute those cards to shut-ins. Creating soup mixes is another project.”

The scripture focus is posted at each station. The volunteers who work at each station guide the conversation and point out the connection between the project and the scripture verse. The instructions at each station, which participants can take with them, also list the faith connection.

Families attending the activities have been engaged. There have been 25-30 families, so far, each month. Volunteers include teachers from Mom’s Morning Out, another ministry at First UMC. Some new faces are showing up. 

“The teachers from MMO are valuable volunteers because they are familiar with the educational setting,” Torgerson said. “We have seen families from the community showing up especially for the Halloween event.”

There is no sign-up for the event. Based on the resources available, each activity is set up. If supplies run out for one station, there are other stations for families.  For example, the November shopping experience was set up for 25 families. If supplies ran out, the station would close, but other stations remained open.

Themes are sketched out for each month, but will be tweaked as the event approaches. December is focused on the story of the birth of Christ and a breakfast with Santa. January’s theme will be winter sports, as the Winter Olympics approach.

“S.T.E.A.M. with a Theme” is financially supported by First UMC and a Breakthrough Ministry Grant. Grants are offered to churches and related organizations from the Dakotas United Methodist Foundation and the Dakotas Conference of The United Methodist Church. Breakthrough Ministry Grants are awarded quarterly as seed funding to launch new ministries or expand existing ministries.

At the end of the year, Torgerson and others will evaluate how things went and determine next steps. She finds herself inspired by the ways God is moving through her, with people at First UMC and the Rapid City community.

“It has been fun for me to create the projects. I have made connections about how God is moving in the world that I had not seen before. It gives me a language to talk to people who are new to faith,” Torgerson shared. “What is even more fun is seeing teachers from Mom’s Mourning Out or other places ask if they can use the ideas and projects. I say ‘Yes!’ I hope that once we have completed a year, I can put all the project directions and details together and make them accessible so that any church can try this. The projects will have some life beyond the one day or year."