Hambleton, W.Va. – Why does STEM matter? Students with a background in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) will be better prepared for college and careers because they have developed a mind for problem-solving and critical-thinking skills that can be applied to any field of study. STEM curriculum also lends itself to enthusiastic learning because students get to be involved hands-on!
Tucker County High School was recently selected to become a model STEM school through The Education Alliance’s STEM Network School program. Each STEM Network School receives a $30,000 grant over three years and training to design and implement a robust STEM action plan and engage their communities in the process.
Through a grant from the Google Foundation, more than 350 West Virginia students from STEM Network Schools participated in field trips to the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh, PA. These field trips will get the students excited about STEM and allow teachers to generate new ideas for incorporating STEM projects in the classroom.
“One of the main goals of the Network Schools program is to get students engaged in STEM. What better way to get kids engaged in STEM than to take them to a world-class science center where they can do hands on activities and have fun with STEM for an entire day,” said Dr. Amelia Courts, President and CEO of The Education Alliance. “The Education Alliance is pleased that we could help bring this opportunity to the students at [School Name] School.”
On May 2, 2016, 39 students from Tucker County High School participated in a field trip to the Carnegie Science Center. The field trip was not only a lot of fun but packed with opportunities for STEM learning that will stick with them for a long time. You’ve probably heard the saying, “Tell me and I’ll forget. Show me and I may remember. Involve me and I’ll understand.” At the Science Center, students learn by getting involved in a wide range of unique and inspiring hands-on activities. The field trip was a great way to get our students excited about STEM education and to prepare them for standardized testing.
“The students who attend this field trip were exposed to important science, technology, engineering, and math concepts in a fun and engaging way that will send them back to the classroom primed and ready to learn,” said Ron Baillie, Co-Director of Carnegie Science Center.
Other schools participating in Carnegie Science Center field trips include: Edison Junior High School in Wood County, George Washington High School in Kanawha County, Sherrard Middle School in Marshall County, Spring Mills High School in Berkeley County, and Wheeling Park High School in Ohio County.
For more information on the STEM Network Schools program, visit EducationAlliance.org/STEMschools or contact Stephen Strothers at 703-304-2089 or Stephen@educationalliance.org
Founded in July 1983 as the first statewide public education fund in the nation, The Education Alliance is a private-sector initiative to help businesses understand the importance of financially and resourcefully supporting the state’s public schools and to give business a voice in public education that advances policies and practices to continually improve public school student achievement in West Virginia.
