Parent Teacher Magazine Union County Public Schools Jan/Feb 2019 | Page 13

New Town Elementary goes full STEAM ahead On any given day, New Town Elementary teacher Bryan McKenzie’s classroom could look like an art studio. The next day, it could be mistaken for a math class. The day after that? An engineering lab. That’s the beauty of the school’s new science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) lab, a place where New Town Elementary students in kindergarten through fifth grade are spending their days developing a lifelong love of learning. “Inquiry, curiosity, collaboration and being creative at finding solutions are at the heart of our STEAM approach. The future is continually developing and we know that it’s critical to our students’ success that they have a strong foundation in a lifelong love of learning,” said New Town Elementary Principal Catherine Perry. “I feel strongly that play is critical in early development stages because that’s how children learn. That’s why we provide them with the time to collaborate and work with blocks and technology – that lifelong love of learning is what this STEAM lab fosters.” Located in the school’s former computer lab, the new and growing STEAM lab offers every student the opportunity to explore technology tools, conduct their own research and test out their engineering skills with building kits. Art supplies are also interspersed throughout the room and student artwork is adorned on the walls. The lab is a work in progress, Bryan said, as future items on their wish list include a smart piano and an Apple TV to showcase student work and instruction as well as more coding kits and building materials. However, Bryan added, the goal isn’t to have the lab filled with so many items that the students work in isolation during class. “As you can tell, there’s not a technology tool for every child and that’s purposeful because you want a variety of resources that encourage them to be collaborative and work together,” he said. “We live in a world of kids on devices by themselves. They’re conditioned to always have something in their hands and to not share, but this lab is about getting them to work together with other people and use resources together.” After Bryan demonstrated one of the brand-new coding tools to a class of students who were practically begging to tear into the boxes and start coding on their own, fifth graders Jason Hea and Addison Kee said the STEAM lab is one of their favorite fine arts classes offered this year. Although they have differing future career goals – Jason wants to be a software developer while Addison wants to be an eye doctor – the two were unanimous in their love of the hands- on STEAM lab where they’re both able to test out their problem solving skills. “I love coding, it’s my favorite thing to do because I like to direct whatever we’re working with to success. I like solving problems,” Jason said. “I really feel like everyone should have the opportunity to experience a class like this.” Parents, stay positive! Triple P takes the guesswork out of parenting The Triple P – Positive Parenting Program won’t tell you how to parent — it’s more like a toolbox of ideas. You choose the strategies you need and how you use them. It’s all about making Triple P work for you! Triple P is now available to all parents in Mecklenburg and Union Counties, and is also available in Spanish. To find out more, go to www.triplep-parenting.com Triple P – the positive parenting program to help every parent www.triplep-parenting.com Parent Teacher Magazine • Nov/Dec 2018 • 11