Pub. 4 2014-2015 Issue 2

13 learning experience in the subjects of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Awards are granted to innovative and creative projects in STEM subjects. John Anderson, principal at Birch Creek Elementary, a Title 1 school, applied for a STEMClassroom Grant to better involve students in STEM activities. The money primarily supported an after school robotics program that initially had the monetary support to only involve a few students. With the STEM Action Center’s help, more than fifty students are able to utilize the program. John said that while the school does have other STEM- related activities, this is the first time that the school has pursued something purely STEM. “It’s been an eye opener,” John said. “Teachers are able to see what they can do to incorporate more STEM elements in the classroom. There’s not a lot of free time. Elementary education is very structured, and this grant has been an opportunity for teachers to see what’s available to them.” Another example of a teacher taking advantage of the STEMClassroom Grant is Brittany Porter, a sixth and seventh grade science teacher at Monticello Academy. While covering a unit on energy and how it’s used, the class wanted to make a difference and reduce their carbon footprint. The idea was then born to build a greenhouse. “The students helped write the plans and while we haven’t built the greenhouse yet, they are excited to get started,” Brittany said. This gives the students the opportunity to experience science hands-on and to follow through on a meaningful project. Teachers are also invited to share with their students the STEM Action Center’s Camps and Competitions Award is to encourage student participation in camps and competitions to support STEM education and economic development in Utah. This grant is intended for K-12 Utah students who are participating in any STEM-related fair, camp or competition. This funding is to be used for entrance fees, project materials and travel to and from STEM competitions or camps. STEM Grants for Utah camps and competitions is a post-performance grant, and students will be reimbursed for all or part of the requested amount after the competition has taken place. “The STEM Action Center strongly believes in a student’s opportunity to experience STEM in a hands-on way, and these fairs, camps and competitions allow just that,” said Jenna Johnson, who oversees the STEM Classroom Grant and the Fairs, Camps and Competitions Award. “These experiences introduce students to a mentor and peers that help make their involvement positive. In this way, students really catch the vision of what STEM is all about.” So far, more than 2,500 students have been awarded a total of $350,000. The hurdle of money and time can be overcome. It’s not adding new curriculum but adding STEM-support to the curriculum that already exists. According to Gayle, it’s not about eliminating classroom standards, but starting with a good curriculum that follows the standards. “If you start with the standards, then you can show you are teaching what is required but with a STEM twist of integration and project-based learning.” Over the past few years, Gayle has developed a template for STEM lessons, and she uses this every time she starts each STEM project. This template includes three key areas: • What is the hands-on project? (What will excite the stu- dents?) • Researching the topic to get more information (both stu- dents and teacher). • Extension—assembly, guest or community speaker etc. “If you get the kids excited, they tell their parents and get them excited about the STEM projects … Parents love STEM because the students love it,” Gayle said. Since these lessons are project-based, the students have the opportunity to present projects to the class and their parents. This creates more excitement about the whole process and generates community buy-in. Encouraging other teachers to try the integrated STEM project model is sometimes a challenge but “if you get them to try it and see it’s not that hard…they get positive parent and student feedback and parents are the driving force behind this process,” Gayle said. When it comes to getting STEM into elementary class- rooms, the resources are there … and maybe now the aware- ness is there too. To apply for the STEM Action Center’s grant opportunities visit stem.utah.gov. “If you get the kids excited, they tell their parents and get them excited about the STEM projects … Parents love STEM because the students love it,” Gayle said.