Last Spring, Tichina Mack, the Instructional Coach at South Salem Elementary School, was planning for the 2024-2025 school year. She had piloted STEM Fridays at the school and looked forward to expanding and improving the feedback she got from teachers and students. Ms. Mack wrote an NEF grant and was awarded $2,000 for STEM activities and a STEM Family Night.
Each STEM Friday, the students get a challenge and have to work in teams to complete the task. The goal is create an engaging learning experience that also empowers students to see themselves as innovators and problem-solvers.
September’s STEM challenge had teams working together to build a raft that would float and be able to hold 5 people (represented by 5 coins). The students were given popsicle sticks, tape, rubber bands, coins, a bucket of water and items to decorate their raft.
Donations made to NEF fund great, teacher-driven projects that inspire creativity and learning in schools across the county.
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