Spring Carnival Brings Students Together Through Hands-On Learning

Sophia Fafard and Elena Sanchez pose for a photo at the Spring Carnival photo booth. For this year's carnival, the theme was Las Vegas.

On Thursday, April 23, Bismarck State College hosted its annual Spring Carnival in the Student Union, transforming the space into a lively hub of games, music, and student engagement. The event, organized by a Project Management class, served as both a fun campus activity and a real-world learning experience for the students involved.

Led by their professor, the class took on the challenge of planning and executing a large-scale event from start to finish. According to one student, the main goal was to apply project management skills in a practical setting. To do this, the class was divided into specialized groups, including decoration, finance, games, scheduling, food, organization, and announcements.

The students set an ambitious goal of attracting around 300 attendees—and worked hard all semester to make it happen. Planning for the carnival began at the start of the term, making it the biggest project of the class.

Preparation for the event required dedication and early mornings. Students arrived as early as 8 a.m. to finish setting up and stayed until 4 p.m. to ensure everything ran smoothly. 

“I woke up late and one of my friends had to call me to make sure I was coming,” one student involved in the project said. This highlights the commitment and teamwork involved.

The carnival featured a wide variety of activities, including games like poker ball, spin the wheel, beat the dealer, and blackjack. Attendees were welcomed through a registration process where they scanned a QR code and received a game sheet. Participants then visited different stations, playing games to collect stamps. Completing the sheet added an extra layer of excitement and encouraged students to explore all parts of the event.

In addition to games, the carnival offered a scavenger hunt with prizes such as a Hydro Flask and gift baskets. Individual game stations also rewarded participants with smaller prizes like candy and bracelets. A photo booth area, lively music, and colorful decorations added to the festive atmosphere.

The event also received support from Erin Schwalk, advisor for the Congress of Student Organizations, who assisted with funding and guidance. Her involvement helped ensure that students could effectively bring their ideas to life while gaining valuable experience.

To maximize attendance, some business classes even gave students the option to attend the carnival instead of going to class. Volunteers from groups like Cultural Exchange and Country Dance also contributed to the event’s success.

Throughout the day, the student organizers remained highly engaged, rotating roles every hour to stay energized and involved in different aspects of the event. Each game station included clearly written instructions, demonstrating the level of detail and preparation that went into the planning.

Overall, the Spring Carnival was a success. The Student Union was filled with energy, laughter, and smiling faces as students enjoyed the activities. More importantly, the event showcased how classroom learning can translate into real-world skills, giving students valuable experience in teamwork, organization, and leadership.