Communications Specialist, Prescott School District

In which school subject can students write a fairy tale and construct a bridge? Create a picture book of nature or design a robot? The answer is STEM – a student-centered, integration of the subjects science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Prescott School District is unique among area schools because 100% of K-8 grade students participate in the program.

STEM was introduced to schools in the early 2000's when a report by the National Academies of Science concluded that U.S. students were not achieving in the STEM disciplines at the same rate as students in other countries and that, “knowledge in the STEM disciplines leads to continued innovation to address societal issues.” It also found a correlation between prosperity and careers based in science and technology (Hallinan, STEM, 2019).

In 2018, Prescott School District expanded the existing STEM classes at the middle school to full time, and added a K-5 program. Karey Sizemore teaches K-5 STEM and schedules her time between the Malone Elementary and Intermediate locations. “I’d been an elementary teacher for many years, so when the opportunity came to start a program in the areas I love to teach, I accepted the challenge(s),” stated Sizemore. Some of those challenges were developing appropriate space for effective instruction, and developing content and curriculum for the program.

Each week, a specific grade will have instruction in a science, technology, engineering and/or math component geared to result in a hands-on project. The first grade class recently finished a project on “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” by following the engineering process of inquiry: ASK “Can I build a bed that is ‘just right” for Goldilocks out of the materials in the tub?” IMAGINE the different ways a bed could be built for Goldilocks to sleep in. Choose a way and CREATE the bed. Look at how we could IMPROVE the bed.

Students in K-5 started a yearlong outdoor education program. One day each week, students venture outside to do activities connected to the outdoors, science and nature. For example, the third grade life science standards focus on interdependent relationships in ecosystems. Students in third grade recently planted trees outside of MIS to understand how living things grow, and how adding trees to our playground will add birds – and at some point – shade on our playground!

In addition to weekly units, classes spend time focusing on skills in specific content areas; for example, students celebrate an “hour of code” during December and Sizemore initiated a “Girls Who Code” club last year. “By exposing students to these problem- solving lessons, they develop creativity and critical thinking skills – attributes they will need throughout their lives,” shared Sizemore.

When students transition to middle school, all students participate in some aspect of STEM each year. 'STEM classes and extensions of STEM are designed around giving students hands-on learning experiences,' stated the 6-8 teacher, Mike Thomley. The secondary units incorporate knowledge students have learned in prior years and deepen in complexity.

The 6th grade robotics class starts with a simple-functionScribblerrobot. Programming these robots utilizes math skills to calculate distance and angles. Precision calculations and patterning are practiced to complete mazes and to spell their names. They move on to a LEGO robot which has a seemingly endless number of possible programming options. 'I designed this class to incorporate math skills in a fun, safe activity that students tend to enjoy. With COVID, we are limited with what we can do as far as hands-on learning. So this year we are coding instead. Seventh graders will do robots next year,” commented Thomley.

Computer Coding is a class of logic and mathematical reasoning. We start with basic programming 1st and 2nd grade math and quickly work into algebraic reasoning and functions. “The students don't realize they are doing 'hard' math when they are programming. I have high school students comment, ‘Mr. Thomley, do you remember doing functions in programming?' Well we are now doing this in my math class.’” Eighth grade STEM classes focus on the seven-step engineering process. Students pose questions that are interesting yet challenge the students to think outside the box. As civil engineers, students have solved challenges like making usable space behind the fireworks store and a lesson “How to Make Stonehenge” more attractive to middle school students! As structural engineers, students have made scale drawing and scale models of our new towns and theme parks while incorporating physics to create a fullfunctioning park. Mostofthematerialsused to build our models comes from leftover wood and supplies from the local community.

Prescott’s K-8 STEM program is designed to develop problem-solvers, and to enhance and reinforce science, technology, engineering and math skills by using hands-on activities and projects. This exposure ignites curiosity in these disciplines leading to high school where they then enroll in further courses of interest.