Thank you for the generous contribution to our classroom. I was thrilled to receive such a thoughtful donation. With the funds provided, I was able to purchase numerous STEM recourses and manipulatives for all of my learners to explore in my first-grade classroom. We are in the beginning stages of really digging into each bin and exploring the potential each has to offer.
Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics- STEM bins foster unique ways for all learners to thrive in a different setting. I feel privileged to offer this opportunity to all my young learners. It is so important to me as and educator, to provide opportunities for all learners to feel they are "smart" and thrive. So many times, I witness a child pull back or hesitate because they do not see themselves at "smart" enough. As crazy as this sounds, STEM bins give all leaners that feeling! They can engineer and create something new each time. They can plan using blueprints then go and build what they just planned out. They are problem solving, complex thinking and handling emotions as they become frustrated and confused. The confidence that I see from all of my leaners is so endearing. STEM offers the opportunity to “just do it”. You really cannot be “wrong”. Once that fear of being wrong or right is removed children thrive, they take chances, they take deep breaths when a tower falls, or the engine for the go cart just isn’t fitting correctly, they look at it a different way and keep going.
Above are just a few images of my leaners at work using a couple STEM bins. As I mentioned, we are learning how to use them. The creativity and engagement of all learners speaks for itself. Thank you again for the generous grant and the opportunity to implement new and exciting STEM bins to my first-grade classroom.
Ms. Kari Wiersgalla
First Grade Teacher
Royalton Elementary