Written by Karen Baum, Instructional Specialist Godwin Heights Public Schools
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) is a fantastic way to engage students in learning about the world around them, develop their problem-solving skills, and provide them with hands-on learning where they can create, collaborate, and think critically. We wanted North Godwin students to have STEM experiences where they could enjoy this type of 21st-century learning, but where to start?
The Journey Begins
Conversations about STEM learning goals began in the Fall of 2019. We worked with Kent ISD consultants Marcus Deja, Wendi Vogel, and Keith Tramper. We discussed what other districts were offering students for STEM learning, and we looked at published programs available for elementary students, like Engineering in Elementary STEM Education (EIE). However, we didn’t find any program that seemed the right fit for our community of learners. Equity was our priority, and we realized that we needed to make our program available to all students to achieve it. To achieve this goal, we decided to offer STEM opportunities during the school day, and we made teacher professional learning central to the design of our program. As we continued to plan for the new year, March 2020 brought COVID and school closures, and our STEM plans were quickly put on the back burner.
Resuming the Dream
We returned to our STEM dream in the 2021-2022 school year. We added Ginger Rohwer, Regional Director from MiSTEM Network, to our team, as well as Kent ISD consultants Du Bui, and Sarah Wood. With their help, we were able to map out a STEM program that focused on engineering and used a Design Thinking Cycle to provide a framework for our students and teachers when working on STEM challenges.
Engaging Teachers
Returning to school in August of 2022, we started our opening day PD with a STEM challenge for our classroom teachers and support staff. They worked through the Design Thinking Cycle to create a better foot experience for the people on their teams. The creative energy and the excitement of building prototypes made our first STEM experience fun for the teachers. That excitement carried over into classrooms as teachers repeated the same STEM challenge they had engaged in at PD with their students during the first few weeks of school.
Empowering Classrooms
In November, we hosted second professional learning day for teachers. They were challenged to build prototypes for a better carrying experience. Again, cardboard, duct tape, ribbons, and beads produced creative prototypes. The day ended with teachers eagerly anticipating bringing the second design challenge back to their classrooms.
Connecting STEM and Literature
After a third professional learning experience in January, grade-level teams chose design challenges related to literature using the Promoting STEM through Literature resources provided by the REMC Association. Teachers decided to connect the spring STEM projects with writing assignments, and we could showcase both our STEM work and students’ written work at our Write Celebration during our end-of-the-year community event.
Impact on Students
One of the best outcomes of our STEM implementation has been how our students respond to design opportunities. North Godwin students love STEM days! One fourth-grade teacher reported that when it was time to break for recess during STEM prototyping, her students groaned and pleaded for permission to keep working on their designs. In other classes, students asked if they could have STEM time as a classroom reward for demonstrating good behavior instead of movies and snacks. Best of all, some of our students who struggle the most in classrooms blossomed when they could solve problems by building something instead of reading or writing. Their successes allowed them to see themselves as STEM innovators and engineers. That is worth all the time and hard work teachers have invested in making our STEM dreams a reality.
Realizing Our STEM Vision
Our North Godwin students have already completed one design cycle this fall. Students know that for us, STEM is always about solving a problem by building empathy for the end-user, clearly defining the problem, ideating, building prototypes, testing prototypes, and reflecting on their learning. STEM design thinking has not only provided a space for students who sometimes struggle with traditional learning to shine but also given all students a process, the Design Thinking Cycle, for solving whatever problems they may face in the future.
The Future of STEM Education at North Godwin
STEM education innovation has transformed the learning experience for North Godwin students, empowering them with problem-solving skills and a creative mindset. This journey, from the initial dream to the realization of our STEM vision, has been a testament to the power of innovation and inclusivity in education.
Taking the Next Step: Connect with Du Bui
If you’re excited by the potential of STEM education and ready to explore its possibilities in your school or community, Kent ISD STEM consultant Du Bui is your go-to resource. To start your journey into STEM and learn more about opportunities for your students, don’t hesitate to contact Du Bui. Connecting with him is your first step towards inspiring students and fostering creative problem-solving.
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This blog post was written by Karen Baum, Instructional Specialist Godwin Heights Public Schools and edited by Amanda Walma, T&L Marketing & Communications Specialist for Kent ISD.
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