STEM Scale-Up Awards

Announced on April 7, 2023

NW STEM Region will be holding the following trainings for STEM Scale-Up Awardees in the following dates and locations:

Storm Lake Elementary Implementing Several Scale-Up Programs

Storm Lake 2nd graders learned about aquaponics tanks, what their purpose is and how they function. They learned about plant life cycles and fish life cycles, including what could go wrong and how to fix it. They also learned what ongoing care might look like. Students from each classroom were excited to be able to create a tank to keep in their classroom for the remainder of the school year.

Storm Lake 3rd graders spent weeks learning some of the functions of the Finch Robot. They had a lot of fun creating shapes and changing colors on the tail and beak, and learning how to make the Finch move. Their final session was a choice to do artwork, build a jousting arm or create a dance, with lights and song, using the Finch. Many students chose the jousting arm. Their job was to build an arm on the bot using legos and other materials provided. They had to code the bot to knock the ping pong ball off a solo cup without moving the cup. They had a blast!! They also quickly realized looks are deceiving.

Storm Lake 4th graders were very excited at the possibility of flying a drone. Many weeks of learning drone parts, learning what each of

the controls did, along with safety procedures took place first. They spent time just learning to take off and land before moving to flying

around the classroom. Their final project was to create an obstacle, tall and wide enough, for the drone to fly through. The gym was the setting for students to be challenged to fly through different obstacles. Many breakdowns happened, but the students loved it.

Drones Challenges in

Ag in the Classroom

Amy Forrette, Ag in the Classroom instructor, shared some Drone activities with us that she did with Albert City-Trusdale students. Students were most excited about since I introduced drones to them. Each student had a chance to compete on an agriculture obstacle course with their drone. This was a timed event and the top 2 completed times received prizes. The obstacle course included checking on their livestock and crops. It was so fun to see the kids

excel at using the drones.

Summer STEM Activities

Be sure to keep your kids at home busy with fun at home STEM activities! Here are some great places to find those resources!