Russellville teacher gets grant for science, math projects

Early start STEMs interest

Josh Fisher, a second-grader at Russellville Elementary School, begins to build a bridge of Popsicle sticks and paperclips during STEM time in Tracey Bieri's classroom.
Josh Fisher, a second-grader at Russellville Elementary School, begins to build a bridge of Popsicle sticks and paperclips during STEM time in Tracey Bieri's classroom.

RUSSELLVILLE, Mo. - Building bridges with only Popsicle sticks and paper clips or programming a robot to create an action, second-grade students in Tracey Bieri's classroom look forward to their science, technology, engineering and math time.

The Russellville teacher sought out an $800 grant to purchase several projects she had researched for their use in learning STEM.

"These kids are growing up with this stuff," Bieri said. "Imagine what their world will be like in 10 years."

Taking turns at the new STEM stations is an anticipated break from other school work.

"This is my favorite day of the week," Annabel Mason said.

Bieri regrets only the limited amount of time she can carve out for these mind-expanding lessons, she said. Eventually she hopes to incorporate the concepts and activities throughout each day and tie in more subjects.

"They learn a little new each week and then try out new things every week," she said. "Their imagination and creativity are amazing."

Recently, Emma Gardner tried the Lego Robot station, building a flood gate following the computer's schematics.

"This is the most popular," Bieri said. "They get to watch their creation come to life."

Similarly, Peyton Steinman was building projects at the Lego Challenge. Students receive cards, which tell them what to build but not how.

"It's a challenge; it's not supposed to tell you how to do it," Peyton said.

Across the room, Gavin Mehrhoff assembled a Code-a-pillar. The goal is to program the cute device to make twists and turns to get from one electronic pad to another.

"This is my favorite, to try to use the different pieces," Gavin said. "Someday I want to be able to reach the red stop pad."

The problem-solving skills and confidence the students are gaining through these activities benefit them in other curricula, too.

"Without the hands-on projects, we wouldn't be able to see their creativity come out," Bieri said. "I'm hoping this builds a love for school and for learning."

The selected activities were part of a post Bieri made to Donors Choose, a website that connects teachers with dream projects and donors willing to donate toward that reality.

"My students need materials that focus on writing and creativity, as well as science manipulatives to integrate into our new writing series," Bieri pitched on the website.

After that, the exact items and prices Bieri selected were listed, including LEGO 45100 StoryStarter Core Set, Kidkraft 2-in-1 Activity Table Espresso, LEGO Education Fairytale and Historic Minifigures Set, K'NEX Intro To Simple Machines: Levers and Pulleys and ZOOB STEM Challenge.

Ten Missouri donors covered the cost of these items for Bieri's classroom.

"It was cool to see that we had that much community support," she said.

She followed up by posting pictures and updates to the same website.

"With these activities, students now have their hands-on learning," she wrote. "They are using the Legos to learn about coding and engineering. The students love building things, but the part that is the most exciting to them, is being able to code and make those items move on their own through an app on iPads.

"Students, especially those who find it harder to sit at a desk, really have enjoyed using these activities. It is a time for them to move around, let their imaginations soar and get their hands-on learning."