Future Voters in Action at Harnett County Science Day
The Harnett County Board of Elections was excited to participate in this year’s Science Day at the Harnett County Resource Center & Library, where we turned civic education into a fun, hands-on experience for children and families across our community.
One of the highlights of our booth was our interactive voting station, where kids had the opportunity to cast their very own ballots. The response was overwhelming, with participation far exceeding expectations with over 100 children casting ballots throughout the event. After voting, each participant proudly received an “I Voted” sticker, making the experience feel just like a real election!
For each contest on the ballot, we also included a write-in option, giving kids the opportunity to share their own unique answers and truly make their voices heard.
We are thrilled to share the results from our Kids Election:
- Favorite Food: Ice Cream took the top spot with 47 votes (43.9%), followed by Pizza with 41 votes (38.3%)
- Favorite Place to Visit: Pool was the clear winner with 71 votes (66.4%), with Park as the runner-up at 17 votes (15.9%)
- Favorite STEAM Activity: Drawing led with 65 votes (61.3%), followed by Puzzles with 27 votes (25.5%)
- Favorite Animal: Dog came out on top with 42 votes (39.6%), with Cat close behind at 33 votes (31.1%)
- Favorite TV Show: Bluey won with 34 votes (33.7%), followed by Paw Patrol with 22 votes (21.8%)
- Favorite Place to Play: Outside was the favorite with 65 votes (60.2%), followed by Inside with 36 votes (33.3%)
Each category saw incredible participation, with over 100 ballots cast in most questions, giving kids a true taste of what it means to take part in an election.
The write-in responses were a highlight of the event and showcased just how creative our young voters are. We saw a wide variety of answers, including foods like ramen, chicken nuggets, and sushi; places like Disney World, the zoo, and even grandparents’ houses; and unique favorite things like axolotls and K-Pop Demon Hunter. These responses added personality to every contest and reinforced the importance of giving voters the option to have a voice. For those interested in viewing the complete results, including all write-in responses, you can access the full report here: click here
In addition to voting, we hosted coloring tables featuring election-themed coloring pages and provided crayons for children to enjoy a creative break while still engaging with civic concepts.
We also offered resources for parents, including a selection of our favorite children’s books that help explain elections and voting in a way that is fun, approachable, and easy for kids to understand.
To make things even more exciting, kids were invited to answer civic and voting-themed quiz questions. Those who answered correctly earned a prize from our treasure box, encouraging learning through play and participation.
Elections play an important role in STEAM through the use of technology, data, and problem-solving. From voting equipment and ballot design to vote tabulation and reporting results, elections rely on systems that incorporate science, technology, engineering, and math. At the same time, civic education connects to the arts through communication, design, and community engagement. By introducing these concepts in a hands-on way, we help students see how real-world processes like elections connect to the skills they are learning in STEAM.
We are so grateful for the opportunity to connect with our community in such a meaningful and engaging way. Events like Family Science Day allow us to introduce the next generation to the importance of civic participation in a way that is both memorable and impactful.
We would like to extend a sincere thank you to the Harnett County Public Library for hosting this year’s Family Science Day and for inviting us to be a part of such a wonderful community event, and we are excited to participate in future events.
