For the last month, Professional Development Specialists have been putting the finishing touches on STEAM Learning Labs at schools across the District, and many opened their doors this week. The labs showcase engaging and rigorous lessons that integrate STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) at every grade level. While students get hands-on practice with 21st century skills, classroom teachers are choosing to use the lab as part of their own professional development.
At Ridge Crest Elementary’s STEAM Learning Lab, teacher Mike Mandelbaum and Professional Specialist Rebecca Buckhoff are focused on 3D printing. “I’ve never witnessed students so motivated and inspired by what they learned,” Mandelbaum said.
Palm Middle School teacher ThuyNga Smith and Professional Development Specialist Dr. Amna Ahmad are teaching students to code with Scratch. According to Smith, their school’s Learning Lab “will help to build life skills that are critical and necessary for their success in the 21st century.”
“We are hoping to grow this program,” said Palm Middle School Principal Dr. Mallanie Harris, “where STEAM will not just be a pathway but part of our school’s culture.”
At Hidden Springs Elementary, Professional Development Specialist Mary Stafford developed a Code-A-Pillar series of lessons to introduce students in the primary grades to coding. “The students are innately curious and think they are simply playing with a toy, when in reality they are learning the foundations for coding. These hands-on lessons easily pave the way for direct instruction in coding even at the youngest grade levels,” shared Stafford.