Students providing STEM outreach programs to the grade school

Communication is what allows society to advance knowledge. Without it, the discovery of new technology would lie stagnant, diseases would remain uncured, and our entire system of innovations would collapse around us. It is critical that information is passed along from one another, especially to future generations.

That is why the Lind-Ritzville High School STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) club will be communicating with young minds of Ritzville Grade School.

Starting in January, members of the STEM club, with advisor and science teacher Jason Aldrich, will be conducting an outreach program for students in third, fourth and fifth grade.

Not only will they explore different branches of STEM, but they will discover opportunities for future studies, research careers—and innovation. Over several interactive lessons, students will learn the mystery behind exciting phenomena in nature, sharpening their observation and problem solving skills as they experiment with the scientific method.

The lessons, whose topics include all three branches of science (life, physical and earth will be presented to the kids during their library sessions at the high school. Students will have time after their hands-on exposure to STEM to check out books.

Aldrich said, “The goal is to get kids to read more about STEM. Hopefully that will help them be more prepared for the science MSP <a standardized exam that fifth graders take in the spring> and a little more excited about science in general.”

Vickie Kramer, RGS and LRHS librarian, explained, “I think [students will enjoy it] simply because it will be something different for the older kids to look for when they come to library.”

She continued, “I can see some kids getting excited about the lesson and having [corresponding] books accessible… They’re going to love having those books!”

Currently, third grade students are not allowed to check out non-fiction books.

The STEM club’s outreach program will give them the opportunity to expand their literary horizons.

Regarding the students’ classroom exposure to STEM, Jennifer Boness, RGS teacher, said, “My third grade students study the human body, magnets/electricity, and Earth materials… We use the FOSS science kits, so most of the lessons are hands-on.”

“As far as technology goes,” she continued, “the third graders spend time in the computer lab each week. They are engaged in typing lessons, word processing lessons, Power Point, internet research and math websites…”

The library STEM lessons will be a fun extension of their exposure to STEM topics. Aldrich continued, “Anytime kids are able to listen to a lesson and not get tested on it, they participate.” He notes that kids like to ask questions about what they see in the natural world.

Janna Gingrich, fifth grade teacher at RGS, is looking forward to the outreach program: “My students will love learning more about science. They never seem to get enough of it in the regular classroom! This is a great opportunity for them to connect the world of science to math, technology and engineering.”

Aldrich concluded, “Things that are new and different open up the brain filter… [We will] provide them with something to touch and visualize, and STEM lends itself to that. Kids like to play with stuff!”

Throughout several creative lessons, LRHS STEM club members will hopefully spark an interest in STEM for the young innovators of tomorrow.