stem
Schools Prepare Students for a Variety of Careers
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By Carlienne A. Frisch
s technology became progressively more important in the latter part of the 20th century, employers and educators became aware of the lack of female scientists and mathematicians to fill the needs of those traditionally male-dominated fields. Since then, some public charter schools have developed a strong STEM curriculum, drawing female students into science, technology, engineering and math programs. STEM schools prepare students for the advanced learning required for professions in fields such as microbiology, nursing, nanotechnology, computer graphics and software engineering. Two public charter schools in the area, founded to provide STEM education to area students, are the Cannon River STEM School in Faribault and Rochester STEM Academy. Both are tuition-free schools, a part of the public school system and open to any student interested in attending. Both schools, each of which has an enrollment of about half girls and half boys, are currently led by women.
CANNON RIVER STEM SCHOOL Cheryl Wendt, the Executive Director of the Cannon River STEM School, worked at the school for six years, first as the special educa-
tion coordinator, then as Assistant Executive Director. She became Executive Director of the K-8 school two years ago. “The Cannon River STEM School was developed by parents, scientists, engineers and educators from within the Cannon River Valley community,” Wendt said. “The school combines a STEM focus with a hands-on outdoor learning environment. We teach how to ask good questions and how to find the answers. It develops critical thinking and executive functioningCheryl Wendt, Executive -helping you organize your thoughts Director of the Cannon River STEM School. and make sense of the world around you. Beginning in kindergarten, we incorporate math and science learning. Students participate in a technological coding class, learning how patterns work. They practice those skills in another class, maybe creating a pattern in math class. Even in reading, they can look at letter or word patterns. In grades 6-8, each grade has nine weeks of (computer) coding class.” Students are involved in inquiry-based, project-based, place-based learning that extends beyond the walls of a traditional classroom CONTINUES ON PAGE 6 SPRING 2020
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