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On Friday, October 21st, the SW STEM Hub was invited to spend the day at Woodbine Elementary to talk with educators and students about how they have implemented Iowa STEM Council programming.
Several educators at Woodbine Elementary have been recipients of STEM Scale Up awards. Just this year, Woodbine educators have implemented Scale Up programs such as Ready, Set, Drone!, Waterworks, and Robot Investigations with Finch Robot. In addition to implementing new Scale Up awards, STEM educator Kyle Bartels, is also leveling up on a previous award. Woodbine was awarded an Ioponics system through STEM Scale Up in 2021. Using what they learned from the Ioponics system, Mr. Bartels and his students have created a vertical hydroponics farming system and are experimenting with growing different plants and herbs that they hope to be able to use in their culinary classes.
Last spring, Woodbine Elementary also received a STEM BEST award. Through the award, the elementary has been able to expand programming to offer interest-based STEM activities into each school day for students K-4. Students participate in two, 45-minute classes on a daily basis each quarter, with 20 outlined career-oriented options. Options range from E-sports and graphic design, to animal science and dance. Students often go on "walking field trips" to local businesses and have guest speakers in their classrooms to make career connections.
Instructional Technology Coach and Computer Science Teacher, Shawn Harris has been instrumental in the implementation of the STEM programming. Mrs. Harris says: "Without the STEM Scale Up and STEM BEST awards, our students would not have the CS/STEM opportunities that they do. As educators, we are very fortunate to have what we have for resources and all the support from the CS/STEM entities."
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