Colbie Livesay, 5, explains her science fair project about velocity and friction to the judges during The Goddard School of Aurora’s first science fair for Pre-K and Kindergarten students on May 12. (Photo by Erika Wurst/for Chronicle Media)

For weeks now, scientists from around the Fox Valley spent hours creating, perfecting and analyzing their projects in preparation for the upcoming science fair at school. And, it all happened between snack and nap time, of course.

On Thursday night, these pint-sized academics, and students at the Goddard School for Early Childhood Education in Aurora, put their projects on display for judging in front of some Ivy League experts during an event aimed at increasing the interest in science among pre-K and Kindergarten students at the school.

“The whole point is to encourage and excite students about S.T.E.A.M,” said Goddard School manager Akhtar Zaman. “We want them to be curious at this age and think about what they like and what they want to be involved in. Hopefully this will be instilled in them as they continue their academic career.”

S.T.E.A.M, or science, technology, art and mathematics education, has been a large focus for Goddard School students, who, for the first time, participated in science fairs on Thursday at all 17 Chicagoland locations.

From growing peas, to creating tornados, volcanoes and bouncing eggs, there was no shortage of creativity displayed inside the Goddard School classrooms.

“These kids have an edge nobody had before,” Zaman said. “Even if one kid from here finds a passion in S.T.E.A.M, it will be worth it.”

That student just might be 5-year-old Colbie Livesay, who learned about velocity and friction thanks to her Lego zip line experiment, which tested both characteristics of different zip line materials.

“The minute we found out about (the science fair) we went on Google and Pinterest trying to find something she’d be interested in,” said Colbie’s mom, Stephanie Livesay. “She loves Legos, so I thought it would be a great idea.”

The hands-on approach really stuck with her daughter, who was soon able to talk about the velocity and friction in ways that appealed to her.

— Young scientists at Goddard School display their work —