Our elementary school is considered at-risk due to the fact that over 40% of our students live below the poverty line. We just secured a grant to create a STEAM Team after school program and fund a partnership with a local organization to bring community experts into our school to help our students gain 21st century skills. Our library is in the process of creating a Makerspace, in which students will use Littlebits, Bloxels, and other materials to learn coding, electronics, engineering, and so many more transferable skills.
These materials and new seating will help give our students multiple opportunities for flexible, real-world and hands-on learning in the realm of technology, science, and mathematics. They will meet weekly in the library with staff to work on project-based and open-ended assignments, such as building bridges or using computer code to create a video game.
This space will also be student driven, with students determining what they are interested in studying more closely, so they may move into textiles and make a quilt while studying geometry or build wind turbines when studying renewable energy. Tying these hands-on materials such as Legos to abstract ideas will help our students gain knowledge and confidence, and become more successful.
About my class
Our elementary school is considered at-risk due to the fact that over 40% of our students live below the poverty line. We just secured a grant to create a STEAM Team after school program and fund a partnership with a local organization to bring community experts into our school to help our students gain 21st century skills. Our library is in the process of creating a Makerspace, in which students will use Littlebits, Bloxels, and other materials to learn coding, electronics, engineering, and so many more transferable skills.
These materials and new seating will help give our students multiple opportunities for flexible, real-world and hands-on learning in the realm of technology, science, and mathematics. They will meet weekly in the library with staff to work on project-based and open-ended assignments, such as building bridges or using computer code to create a video game.
This space will also be student driven, with students determining what they are interested in studying more closely, so they may move into textiles and make a quilt while studying geometry or build wind turbines when studying renewable energy. Tying these hands-on materials such as Legos to abstract ideas will help our students gain knowledge and confidence, and become more successful.
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