"Failure is not an option." That is the first rule in my classroom. The students at my school are a diverse group of learners. About 70% of them receive free or reduced-price lunch. We're a rural district and many of our kids have never left southwest Missouri.
Poverty is a way of life for many of our students, but it need not define their entire lives.
Many have had limited opportunities, so enrichment activities are met with a lot of enthusiasm. These kids want to try new things and see the possibilities of what is out there. We have been blessed with a new facility to educate our students, but there is a need to encourage them to consider STEM careers.
My Project
As a science teacher in our junior high, I have worked to encourage STEM careers and opportunities for all students in our school by sponsoring our school's Science Club. I have hosted two Space Nights for our community and am currently planning the third one. The focus of this night of space celebration is the 50th anniversary of the first men on the moon, but that historic event was only the first step towards what lies ahead for mankind in space exploration. The LEGO EV3 Core Set and expansion materials that I have asked for will be available to all the students in our school through our Science Club. It is my plan to have club members do robotic demonstrations for visitors attending our community Space Night.
Before we step foot on new worlds, we send in robotic vehicles.
My students need this opportunity to learn to build and program robots, skills that will help them in future STEM careers.
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