Midview Local Schools is continuing to strengthen its STEM learning through two recent grants from the Parker Foundation and Emerson. Together, the grants provide nearly $20,000 in funding to support hands-on instructional equipment and technology upgrades across the district, creating a more connected progression of learning and application as students advance through Midview’s STEM programming.
At the elementary and middle school levels, $15,000 in funding from an Emerson Grant will provide new STEM equipment for students in grades 3–8, including 40 VEX GO kits with storage cases for grades 3 and 4, eight Create-A-Chain Reaction kits for grades 5 and 6, and four VEX V5 PLTW Gateway Customized Upgrade Kits for grades 7 and 8.
Students in grades 3 and 4 will use VEX GO kits to develop skills in basic mechanical design and collaborative problem-solving while establishing a consistent engineering vocabulary. In grades 5 and 6, specialized building kits will turn the study of force and motion into a hands-on laboratory, giving students opportunities to explore gravity, momentum and simple machines. In grades 7 and 8, students will graduate to the VEX V5 system, providing a seamless transition to the more advanced technology used in Midview High School’s STEM pathways.
“This investment gives students access to a cohesive technological “language” that grows with them, allowing them to build on skills and concepts they have learned in previous grades,” said Jodi Wolf, Director of Curriculum and Technology. “Our goal is to increase long-term participation in middle and high school career pathways, and ultimately, help students see the connection between what they are doing in the classroom and the high-demand careers available in the region.”
At the high school level, a $5,000 grant from the Parker Foundation will support several of its Project Lead The Way (PLTW) programs and career pathways, including Engineering, Biomedical Science and Microelectronic Manufacturing Systems (MEMS). Specifically, the funding will be used to purchase instructional equipment, laboratory materials and technology upgrades.
“Our PLTW programming and career-based courses at Midview High School prepare students for college, careers and the workforce through hands-on, project-based learning. They also provide students with opportunities to use industry-standard equipment and technology, earn college credit and industry-recognized credentials, and explore careers in engineering, healthcare, biomedical research, advanced manufacturing, and microelectronics,” said Chad Heuser, Superintendent. “We know the tools and practices in these fields are constantly evolving, so making sure our classrooms keep pace is an ongoing investment that’s really important to us. That includes having up-to-date equipment and technology and making sure our students are learning skills and concepts that are relevant. Support from grants, local organizations, and community stakeholders helps make that investment possible.”