4 minute read
Delivering the STEM Revolution One Package at a Time
One of the initial challenges of technical training is making students feel like they’re in the thick of it—doing a real-world job with real-world outcomes. Students in the materials handling class at the Mon Valley School, one of three AIU-operated special education schools, had such a glimpse thanks to an Iowa teacher who shared photos and a video of her students with their new Storytime STEM-Packs.
The vocational students’ eyes widened at photos of excited young learners holding up the familiar story books, beebots, and activity mats that the Mon Valley students pack into STEM kits at nearby workstations. “Thank you, Storytime STEM!” the Iowa students said in unison.
I think it's just priceless in terms of the confidence that it can build in students.
“I think it’s just priceless in terms of the confidence that it can build in students,” said Michelle Holsopple, who teaches materials handling. “They’re able to give back and be able to contribute.”
Developed by the AIU’s Math & Science Collaborative (MSC), Storytime STEM-Packs are a line of innovative, standards-aligned teaching materials designed to help early childhood educators facilitate engaging, hands-on activities centered around science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and computing. Each STEM+C adventure starts with a popular children’s book and puts young learners in the shoes of a programmer through age-appropriate activities and small programmable robots known as Bee-Bots.
“Being able to have the satisfaction of seeing their hard work translated to something real was a really special moment,” said Michael Fierle, program director of the MSC.
Since partnering with the materials handling classroom in 2016, the program has provided thousands of STEM-Packs to students across the region and, primarily, in the Midwest, where the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council engages with the MSC on continuing STEM-Pack orders.
Fierle said the partnership with the materials handling classroom has been nothing short of remarkable. “It is professionally done,” he said. “These students have done such a great job using the equipment and packing it in such a way.” Out of millions of dollars worth of materials shipped over the years, Fierle noted he could count the instances that materials were left out on one hand.
The materials handling program helps transition-aged students (ages 14-21) to develop essential manufacturing workforce skills, such as inventory management, shipping/receiving, quality control, and equipment operation. Each class period begins with stretches and equipment prep before hitting the floor. Students get to handle real product inventory and pack orders, just as they would in any picking warehouse. Holsopple says the work gives students a sense of meaning.
The MSC has provided funding for industrial-grade laser printers, bubble wrap machines, and shelving. Such investments have transformed the materials handling classroom and improved efficiencies to keep up with the growing demand for Storytime STEM-Packs.
What’s next? The Sunrise School is joining the fun! In early September, one class started learning how to pack STEM-Packs, starting with 30 sets of “Peg+Cat, The Race Car Problem.” “The hope is to expand that work with additional STEM-packs in the future so that more students are doing a real-world job with real-world outcomes” Fierle said.
-- By Junior Gonzalez
Photos: Michael Tarquinio
