Some children practiced cuneiform, while not far away, a 4-year-old used a simple machine to lift her father at the Biblical History Center’s STEM Saturday.

The event focused on the science, technology, engineering and math that would have been used in the Middle East during Biblical times, and in doing so gave young scholars a peek into the pask.

“Sometimes when we study the ancient world we forget that they had these things available to them,” Curator Morgan Cantrell said. “We see the ruminants of these fantastic temples and architecture and structures. We receive artifacts that are tools and building materials, and sometimes it is glossed over how the ancients actually used these things. So, that is one reason why we are having this. It is just a wonderful tool for awareness.”

The event was designed for a wide age range, and volunteers patiently explained how everything from water wheels to architecture functioned in a world without calculators to children and parents alike.

“In the ancient world, they did use science, technology, engineering and math, and we are just here exploring how they utilized these things without understanding those specific concepts,” Cantrell said. “This is a way to reach people who enjoy those topics that on a normal visit, we might not touch on [STEM topics].”

Some parents brought their children to the event specifically to provide a hands-on example of what their children might otherwise only see in books.

“It is really helpful for us because we’re homeschooling [our children], and we are studying ancient Egypt right now and ancient Israel,” said Paul Cartwright, who was visiting the center with his wife and three children. “This has a tangible, visual, interactive aspect to it. Also, on our science part, we are learning about simple machines, and my wife set up the curriculum where they learn about pulleys and levers and screws and all that kind of stuff. It is cool to see that in action.”

His wife agreed and added that the experience breathed life into the words of both the Bible and texbooks.

“It is really exciting to see history come alive in a way that you can’t get in a textbook,” said Amy Cartwright. “This specific place makes the Bible come alive.”

The Biblical History Center’s next event will be its Georgia Homeschool Day on Sept. 7. For more information on the center, visit Biblicalhistorycenter.com or call (706) 885-0363.