In the Spring of 2023, an unused classroom began to get a makeover designed to bring STEM education to students in junior high.
Through the ESSER III grant, the school made a $66,467.77 investment in the STEM Lab, which is located in the classroom previously held by ITE teacher Jason Goodman. This investment supports the school’s goal to become more STEM-centered in their classrooms.
STEM, also known as Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, has been a term in high use by teachers and administrators alike.
The lab’s equipment contains many resources, including the Bloxels Classroom Bundle, the GOBOX Classroom Set and the Padcasters Studio Kit.
The Bloxels Classroom Bundle gives access to the EDU Hub. Educators can access resources to incorporate Bloxels into their classrooms through EDU Hub. The Bloxels Classroom Bundle includes 50 Bloxels Student accounts, five Bloxels game boards and block pads, a Bloxels EDU Educator Handbook and a Bloxels EDU workbook.
The GOBOX Classroom Set is a kit that comes with connectors, cardboard shops, LED lighting components and more. Students can use 3Dox cardboard and cardboard to design and electrify their creations.
The Padcaster Studio Kit enables people to create professional quality videos from anywhere. Some items included in this kit are a mini microphone, a Lavalier microphone, a multi-function wide angle and macro lens, LED light and more.
The STEM Lab is part of a push for the school to become STEM-certified through the Department of Education, which adds more engineering opportunities for students.
“Technology and science are the dominant fuels in today’s workforce. To help prepare our students for the now and future we feel it’s imperative to get our students involved. Being STEM-certified and the process it takes to get certified validates that we are doing the right things to get our students ready for tomorrow,” said Principal Ed Wagner.
The STEM Lab coordinator is Science Teacher Lori Stroud, the new STEM Club leader.
“STEM’s importance to your career depends on the industry you are interested in. If the career you are interested in values skills like analytical thinking, technical expertise, or innovation, and involves science, technology, engineering, or math, STEM would be of increased importance,” said Stroud.
Stroud coordinates the activities that take place in the STEM Lab, and to use the lab, teachers fill out a form to use the space. Currently, the lab is only used by junior high teachers, but in the future, the STEM Lab could be opened to both junior high and high school classes.
“Classes that integrate STEM often involve hands-on experiments, projects, and practical applications to reinforce theoretical concepts,” said Stroud.
Students interested in STEM Pathways currently have two options: Computer Science Pathway and Engineering Pathway.
“If students are interested in the STEM field, students can request to take a STEM-related elective course. These courses are year-long, and many are also dual credit. Depending on the pathway and interest, students may take many different courses,” said Guidance Counselor Rachel Robinson.
Some STEM-related classes currently offered are computer science, engineering, health careers, welding, agriculture (plant and soil), veterinary science, and mathematics.
