Charles Haskell Elementary’s 4th grade teachers have turned Wednesdays into a highlight for students with their STEM Wednesdays. This weekly tradition, led by teachers Brian Decker, Belinda James, Andrea Wilhelm and Angie Myers, brings the entire grade together for hands-on science, technology, engineering and math activities.
From left to right: Belinda James, Andrea Wilhelm, Angie Myers and Brian Decker
The initiative began two years ago when the team decided to make Wednesdays something students could look forward to. Now, every week, the 4th graders gather in the hallway for engaging STEM lessons and activities.
This week’s activity focused on penguins. Students were divided into small groups and assigned a penguin breed to research. Each group gathered eight facts about their penguin, then created a true-to-size art piece. Everyone had their rulers and yardsticks out to be sure their penguin was perfectly accurate! Next week, the students will take on a budgeted engineering project as they design and build mini swingsets.
The teachers’ creativity and hard work have made STEM Wednesdays a tradition that the whole school looks up to. The 4th grade team commented, “STEM Wednesdays have caught the attention of other grades–third graders can’t wait to have it, and fifth graders miss it!”
Each activity often ties into current events or themes. For example, during a snowy week, students constructed paper snowmen in anticipation of the weather.
STEM Wednesdays at Charles Haskell are proving that learning can be fun, collaborative and something to look forward to every week–for students and teachers alike!