Grant has families celebrating science
—Photo courtesy JACQUELINE JOHNSON Southside Elementary third-grader Baylee works on a STEM activity with her mother, Samantha Nuttman, at the school’s recent family night.
—Photo courtesy JACQUELINE JOHNSON Third-grader Sam, his 4-year-old brother, Ben, and their mother Debbie Linder get involved in science at Southside Elementary’s STEM event.
COCOLALLA — Southside Elementary had a fantastic turnout for its family-oriented Science, Math and STEAM night last month, according to school principal Jacquelyn Johnson.
"It was fun to see so many students and their families brainstorming, problem-solving, playing math and science games, rocket stomping, checking out the rocks and minerals, and actively involved in lots of creative engineering construction," she said.
The Cocolalla school was one of eight in North Idaho to receive a grant supporting family friendly science, according to a press release from STEM Action Center in Boise. Karin Beno, Southside's art, science and technology teacher, procured the $1,000 grant and used the money to purchase a variety of science and engineering kits from the Resource Area for Teaching, said Johnson.
"RAFT pre-packaged kits are created around important concepts in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) and include step-by-step instructions, and how-to video demonstrations," according to the RAFT website.
"These hands-on kits help prepare kids to meet 21st century challenges and to compete in a global market by turning abstract ideas into activities that students can grasp," said Johnson.
"Events that get kids and families interested in STEM learning are critical to the STEM Action Center and to Idaho's long-term economic success. Bringing STEM awareness to students and families is essential to ensure that more Idahoans have the opportunity to experience hands-on, project-based STEM in their community. These STEM Events grants will allow families to engage with educators and industry while they have fun learning more about STEM in the community,” said Angela Hemingway, executive director of STEM Action Center.
"The STEM Action Center is the result of Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter’s plan to educate a competitive workforce via K-through-career science, technology, engineering and math curricula that align student knowledge and skills with industry needs," she said.
Forty-four educational organizations applied for STEM funding during the recent round, and the center awarded 36 grants, totaling more than $34,000, to recipients throughout Idaho. In January, the center awarded funds in excess of $48,000 to 23 pre-K to high school educational institutions, Hemingway said.
"Student proudly displayed their S.T.E.A.M. Projects and parents enjoyed seeing science, technology, engineering, art and math in action," Johnson said.