Spanish club 

The Breath of the Andes: A STEAM Journey into Andean Culture.

On Monday, July 20, coinciding with Colombia's Independence Day, our NPS school community gathered for a special STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) workshop celebrating the art and heritage of the "Siku" or "Zampoña" (pan flute). Children of all ages, along with their parents, came together to explore living history through hands-on creation.

Using templates with measurements and musical notes, families crafted and tuned their own "Zampoñas," discovering the instrument's dual heart: the "Ira" and the "Arka." In Andean cosmology, neither flute can play a complete melody on its own. To create music, musicians must intertwine their notes in "Ayni," a tradition rooted in reciprocity, solidarity, and a deep respect for community.

Watching Latino and Australian parents share this ancestral musical tradition with their children was a moving celebration of art and identity across generations. As the room filled with a collective sound, we experienced first hand how design, culture, and mutual listening can transform individual flutes into a unique, shared harmony.

A heartfelt thank you to all the families who joined us to create, connect, and bring this beautiful Andean tradition to life!