Moons mats, Bee-Bots, drones and snap circuits are some of the learning tools offered, along with corresponding curriculum and training, through the Council’s STEM Scale-Up Program. Developed over a decade ago with the intent that all Iowa youth get access to the world’s top STEM resources, Scale-Up Programs make learning about science, technology, engineering and yes, especially mathematics, enjoyable.
Abbie Chesling, kindergarten teacher at St. Malachy Catholic School in Creston, received Storytime STEM-packs for her classroom. The units cover engineering, technology and problem solving. The program has different themes from which teachers can choose to use alongside their classroom curriculum.
“We use the moon mats, moon rocks and boulder cards along with the Bee-Bots to problem solve. The problem, the boulders are in the way and need to be avoided while moon rocks are collected,” said Chesling. “Outside of the curriculum, the students used the Bee-Bot, balloons and other supplies to create a parade float. Students coded their parade float to go down the hallway to the main office. This program is amazing and has different themes for teachers to choose from.”
Iowa legislators received a glimpse into Chesling’s classroom when she and some of her students brought their STEM Scale-Up Program to STEM Day at the Capitol. Thousands of educators in and out of schools deliver STEM Scale-Up Programs to nearly 100,000 young Iowa learners each year, engaging them in the best STEM learning resources known to exist. Learn more about the STEM Scale-Up Program by visiting www.iowastem.org/scale-up.