When we hear about STEM:  Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, music probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind.  But actually, it fits in perfectly.  The Cedar Rapids/Marion House Band and staff showed the crowd why and how at Collins Aerospace's first Community STEM Day on July 13.

The event was hosted by the Southeast Iowa STEM Region and sponsored by Collins Aerospace, a Cedar Rapids company that builds avionics for commercial and military aircraft.  More than 30 local businesses and youth groups including SOR shared their work with around 1,500 people that day.

"STEM is everywhere and STEM is for everone and that was the goal here," Mandy Dodd, organizer of Community STEM Day, said.

As people made their way through the fair, they could hear familiar hits such as Fleetwood Mac's Don't Stop, and Cream's Sunshine of Your Love, renditions from the House Band.

Mandy also plays in the Cedar Rapids/Marion adult student band, Student Driver, and says the event was a great way to showcase how music can be part of STEM.

"Really, music is science.  How we hear sound, how sounds are produced, it's all science," she said.  "It [the event] was a really good experience."

July was a busy month for this house band.  They also performed at the Fourth of July celebrations for Marion at "Fireworks & Fireflies" on July 3, followed by the Pride Fest in Cedar Rapids on July 8.