Teachers and administrators at the Kiski Area Upper Elementary School in Washington Township hope to soon demonstrate to students how much fun STEM learning can be.
The school, which houses all fifth- and sixth-graders in the district, will establish what's called a “makerspace,” a room set aside for students to have hands-on, collaborative learning experiences.
STEM, which stands for science, technology, engineering and math, is a major part of the school's design. The school is in its third year.
Kiski Area Upper Elementary was one of 10 schools chosen by the Pittsburgh Children's Museum to design and build the makerspace, a type of workshop.
Among the materials needed for the workshop are technology equipment such as an ink jet printer, woodworking materials like drill sets and saw, sewing machines and fabric for textile work, hammers, screwdrivers, soldering guns and iron, along with simple supplies such as sandpaper, rulers, scissors and glue guns.
“We had an architect come in and design the workspace,” said teacher Crystal Dellemonache. “We have about 20 staff members serving on a curriculum committee to help design the lessons.”
The school has a fundraising program to get the project off the ground.
The original goal of $10,000 has been surpassed and the school will qualify for matching funds from the museum.
With the effort continuing, Dellemonache said there are now higher fundraising goals where more materials can be acquired such as a vinyl cutter, 3D printer filament, an embroidery machine and wood supplies.
Sixth-grader Aaron Witt of Washington Township can't wait to get the workspace area off the ground.
“I'm interested in the engineering connection to the project,” Witt said.
Witt's project was to have a robotic doll that can kick a small soccer ball into a net on a breadboard, using electronics and robotics.
Vandergrift's Jack Coleman, also in sixth grade, enjoys building and working with wood.
“I like designing and architecture,” Coleman said.
Coleman was part of a team that used K'NEX, a brand of building material to design a structure that can move a ping-pong ball 4 feet.
Part of the goal is to get students to work together in teams, according to Principal Joshua Weaver.
In fact, all the students in the school have their pictures on a huge poster in the office with the school motto: T.E.A.M. — Together Everyone Achieves More.
“The team concept goes into the higher grades, also,” Weaver said.
Many employers, particularly in research and development, tool-and-die and other industries, need employees willing to work in teams.
Dellemonache brought in local business and residents into the fundraising focus.
“We had face-to-face contact with some of the tool-and-die places, banks, businesses and others to explain the workspace project,” said Dellemonache, a 24-year educator.
The students got involved, too.
“For theme days, we had a ‘pink out' last week,” Weaver said. “Coming up we have a crazy hair, crazy hat day and a pajama day.”
The 26-foot by 28-foot workshop will be divided into a “dirty” work area and a “clean” work area. A workbench and storage space also will be provided.
Another new concept at Kiski Area Upper Elementary is the fact that students have the same teachers for the two years they attend the school.
Current fifth-graders will have the same teachers next school year. A year from now, fifth-graders will start a two-year cycle with the same teachers.
George Guido is a freelance writer for Trib Total Media.
