Cataldo –– It may come as a surprise to many that a small school like Canyon Elementary School is at the forefront of technology, but it’s no wonder that Idaho Gov. Brad Little supports their efforts.
“The importance of STEM education in today's technology and knowledge-based economy cannot be overstated,” said Governor Little. “From logging to computer science, mining to health care, and education to business, the skills that STEM education develops lead Idaho students to high-paying, meaningful careers.”
Earlier this month, Governor Little proclaimed March as STEM Month across the Gem State. Still, for Cataldo's small elementary school, this declaration is more of an affirmation of everyday education.
Science, technology, engineering, mathematics, or STEM schools are educational institutions that focus on different types of hands-on learning, where students are challenged in four subjects.
CES classifies itself as a science magnet school, so while it is not strictly a STEM school, it does emphasize many of the different aspects of STEM's core values.
Magnet schools are a type of public school that offer specialized, focused programs and curriculum centered around science, technology, and the arts. For this reason, these schools are very popular among students, parents, and educators who value the ability to be innovative in their fields of expertise.
CES is a small K-12 school located 24 miles west of Kellogg on Interstate 90, serving particularly the area's rural areas, including Cataldo, Rose Lake, Medimont, and surrounding areas. We have been serving the community for decades. But recently, the district opened enrollment to give more children access to specialized science-based curriculum, space permitting.
This school tends to incorporate a lot of STEM education into the daily curriculum, so there is little open space.
Principal Jenny Ferreira said she was pleased that people understood the value of what her school had to offer and thanked Governor Little for his support and emphasized its importance to young pupils.
“STEM education is very important for elementary school students. It gives them the opportunity to be curious, ask questions, and discover,” she said. “Early exposure to hands-on science and STEM activities helps students develop a love of science and the world around them. Governor Little's Support for STEM Education for Idaho Students will be grateful to.”
CES not only focuses on science every day, but goes above and beyond every week to ensure students get up-close-and-personal experiences in a variety of ways.
“We are always looking for ways to incorporate hands-on science activities into our curriculum,” Ferreira says. “One of the fun ways we do this is by hosting Science Her Friday events, where there are various hands-on science stations on Fridays throughout the school year for children to participate in.”
Ferreira also encourages parents at the school, as well as the surrounding community, to help whenever they have time.
“Whether lending a hand at a Science Friday event or presenting in the classroom, we embrace opportunities to engage people who can bring insights based on real-world science to our students. ” she said.
The level of real-world science experience available at Silver Valley is far more expansive than anyone imagines, and often digging into the science allows other subjects, such as local history, to come in handy. Masu. Mining, logging, the surrounding forest and its wildlife are just some of the low-hanging fruit that Ferreira can offer his students. This school year alone, the school has welcomed scientists including Silver Valley Analytical Institute scientists, former Wallace High School science teacher Nick Hoffman, Steve Dahl of the Idaho-based company Computer Zen, and Spokane's Radical Rick. These are just a few of the special guests who hosted the event. It is held every year as part of the Science Friday event.
Dahl, who attended CES earlier this month, runs a nonprofit organization called STEAM World (an “A” that incorporates art into the more traditional STEM), through which he promotes technological advances and how they translate into real-world society. We provide a detailed presentation on how it can be applied. world.
His presentation was thought-provoking for the students.
Ferreira explained that Dahl's presentation will focus on new technologies in prosthetic limb development, allowing students to experience the latest advances in the field.
Students also tried out a new invention: Makey Makey.
“This innovative device uses an alligator clip and a Chromebook to turn an ordinary object into a touchpad,” Ferreira explained. “Students explored Makey Makey's capabilities and connected it to a variety of conductive objects, including themselves, playdough, and graphite pencil lead. Through these connections, they could do things like play the piano directly from their Chromebooks. We turned everyday objects into interactive touchpads.”
Dahl also introduced the students to a robot he developed that uses artificial intelligence to become familiar with and adapt to its environment.
“The interactive sessions not only exposed students to cutting-edge technology, but also sparked their curiosity and enthusiasm for the endless possibilities in the STEM realm,” said Ferreira.
The many opportunities Canyon provides to students are incredibly valuable, but they aren't free or cheap.
The Kellogg School District does not fund all of the school's initiatives. This is one of the very unique aspects of this school and perfectly illustrates why STEM is so important.
“We fund many of these opportunities through our parent organization, the Canyon School Organization,” Ferreira said. “One of the hallmarks of Canyon Elementary School is our culture of parent involvement. We have always been fortunate to have a strong group of parents who enthusiastically support Canyon's science endeavors. From Dynamic Science Friday From engaging Radical Lick presentations to educational field trips to bird of prey presentations, funds raised by our annual ham and turkey dinner support these valuable “extras” for Canyon students. plays an important role in. This continued financial support will ensure that our students continue to benefit from a rich and engaging educational environment. ”
Former high school science teacher Nick Hoffman teaches students about chlorophyll and why leaves change color in the fall.