When Mrs. Janae McGee talks about STEM Night, you can’t help but get excited. As an Instructional Coach in the Herrin Unit 4 District and a veteran teacher, Janae has taken her love for science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and turned it into a one-night celebration of innovation, curiosity, and hands-on learning.

"I didn’t really know what I was doing when I first started," Janae admits with a laugh, thinking back to that inaugural STEM Night in November 2023. But despite her modesty, what she created was nothing short of remarkable—a night that brought the community together and left students, parents, and teachers buzzing with excitement.

Janae has spent 24 years working in the Herrin school system, 20 of those years as a fifth-grade teacher. Now, as an instructional coach, she’s focused on helping teachers implement effective math and science curricula. The mission of HES math and science teachers goes beyond; they are passionate about sharing the many career paths students can explore through their engagement with science and technology.

"STEM Night was born out of that desire to get the community involved," Janae explains. "Our new science curriculum filled with hands-on activities excited the students, and so it was time to bring in the parents and show them what STEM is all about."

STEM Night featured hands-on activities led not only by teachers but by local scientists from Southern Illinois University and community organizations like 4-H, Ag in the Classroom, and Straight Up Solar. The SIU Geology Department demonstrated their expertise, while others brought in activities like exploring pumpkin seeds, the science of popcorn, and homemade solar ovens to engage the crowd. "We live in Southern Illinois, so it was great that these kids got to meet real scientists from SIU," Janae says proudly. "It was a chance to introduce them to post-secondary education and show them it’s right in their backyard."

One of the most exciting aspects of STEM Night was the involvement of Herrin’s own junior high and high school students. "We had our high school student scientists leading demonstrations and experiments," Janae says. "These [younger] kids looked up to the high schoolers, and it was so cool to see the older students explaining concepts to them."

STEM Night also featured Herrin’s Tiger Tech, a group of elementary school students who work with drones and 3D printing (see their story elsewhere in this issue). "These kids were showing off their skills, and it got the younger students really excited," Janae says. "You could see second and third graders thinking, ‘I want to be in Tiger Tech when I get to fourth or fifth grade.’"

The event, which was held in Herrin Elementary’s gymnasium, attracted a much larger crowd than expected. "We planned for about 200 people, but we ended up with closer to 600," Janae recalls, and shared with me how thankful she was for the many staff members and administrators who pitched in wherever they were needed.

As Janae reflects on the success of that first STEM Night, she’s excited about what the future holds. "We’re definitely expanding for next year," she says. "We’re bringing in a mobile STEM museum and more scientists, and I think it’s just going to keep growing."

The event is more than just a fun evening—it’s about inspiring curiosity and problem-solving in students. "STEM promotes curiosity," she says. "We’re not just trying to create kids who can say ‘two plus two is four.’ We’re trying to create problem solvers."

That’s why, in Janae’s eyes, STEM education is so important. "STEM is where the jobs are, and it’s where the future is," she says. "But it’s not just about being the smartest kid in the room—it’s about having an interest in something and being curious enough to explore it."

One of the standout moments from the night was seeing parents engage with their children’s learning. "The parents were asking so many questions, and that’s exactly what we wanted," Janae says. "We wanted to empower them to take an interest in STEM, even if it’s something they hadn’t experienced themselves."

For the Herrin community, STEM Night was a resounding success, not just because of the turnout, but because of the lasting impact it had on students, parents, and teachers alike. "When you walk out of there and your head’s just exploding with ideas, you know it’s been a good night," Janae says with a grin.

And for the taxpayers and families served by the district, there’s a lot to be proud of. STEM Night, led by Mrs. Janae McGee, is more than just an event—it’s a celebration of the future innovators, scientists, and problem-solvers being nurtured right here in Herrin. The district’s commitment to STEM education is clear, and the excitement is only just beginning.