DoDEA STEM Grant Year in Review
January 2021-2022
"Step Up To STEM" Grant 2021-2022
This past year and a half it's been wonderful being back to in-person interactions with students and staff. Arctic Light Elementary & Tanana Middle have both had successful After School STEM Clubs. Arctic Light and Ladd Elementary were able to add new ENCORE classes for their 4th-8th graders including the "Science of Cooking," "Maker Space," "Games" and
"STEM Exploration." Ladd 6-8th graders were able to take an over-night field trip to Denali National Park. Students hiked in the park and learned how the park's sled dog teams help scientists to collect data for their research all winter long. STEMtastic Summer Camps in June of 2021 & 2022 saw over 150 families participate. Our partnership with UAF Cooperative Extension may have been in it's final year this past summer, but they connected with the DoDEA STEALTH Science Grant Coordinator for another possible partnership that will benefit military connected families.
Moving into the final months of this five year grant, I am grateful for all the partnerships created that have guided the STEM Grant towards it's continued success!
Sincerely,
Sarah Robinson
Step Up To STEM Coordinator
Arctic Light 4th-8th grade ENCORES
Ladd Elementary Kindergarten-8th graders
"Science of Cooking" Class
Games Encore
"Science of Cooking" Class
Tanana Middle School 6th-8th grade
Science Class
Health Class
Gym Class
Fabulous STEM Field Trips
Calypso Farms
Calypso Farms
Children's Museum
Songbird Institute
Denali National Park
Denali National Park
STEMtastic Summer Camp
Artistic Attic Kit
UAF Cooperative Extension
Marble Runs
What did "Step Up To STEM" accomplish in 2021-2022?
Arctic Light Elementary
- school wide "Mystery Science" on-line subscription
- 75 students participated in After School STEM Club
- new "STEM Exploration" ENCORE class
- new kiln purchased and Professional Development on it's use for the entire staff, Art Club and a Family Engagement Art Night included a pottery component
- provided Science Fair materials and judges from the STEM community
- inventoried, re-organized and re-stocked Science/Art Room for Kinder-8th grade teachers
- new ENCORE classes-"Science of Cooking," "Maker Space," and "Engineering Design."
- Career Day included more STEM career fields
- 6-8th graders over night trip to Denali National Park, 15 other field trips school wide
- provided Science Fair materials and judges from the STEM community
- STEMtastic Stations Day for 6th-8th graders
Tanana Middle
- teachers attend ASTE Conference
- in person After School STEM Club
- STEM materials purchased for addition of 6th grade teachers to middle school
- iPad cart purchased for school wide check out from library (30 iPads included)
- organized Outdoor Skills Day for 8th graders
- inventoried, re-organized and re-stocked Science Room for 6th-8th grade teachers
- assisted FNSBSD Curriculum Department in creating a spreadsheet of STEM resources included in the new iReady Math curriculum
- attended NCTM Conference (Project Director)
- iReady Math Training for K-8th grade staff
- summer 2021 & 2022 in person camps (over 160 students attended)
- bussing provided for 30 students to STEM Summer Camp 2022
- updated the database of local STEM field trips and classroom presenters as a teacher resource
In the final months of "Step Up To STEM."
- established STEM room at Arctic Light, Ladd and Tanana continue to be an invaluable resources for teachers and students
- supplied Arctic Light and Ladd with Science Fair judges and supplies
- updated the database of local field trips and presenters as a teacher resource
- continued working with RavenHouse (grant evaluator) by collecting data and fleshing out the final reports and information gathering
- establish folders in Google Drive that will assist RavenHouse and colleagues in completing the final report October 2023
Contact Information
Step Up To STEM Grant Coordinator
Email: sarah.robinson@k12northstar.org
Website: https://www.k12northstar.org/STEM
Location: 520 5th Avenue, Fairbanks, AK 99701, USA
Phone: (907) 452-2000 11404