The Bee-Bots buzzed along number lines solving simple equations such as 6 plus 2 and 7 minus 4. Who programmed the colorful little robots to determine the correct answers? Twenty eager children, at a local elementary school, learned to do so with a helping hand from Penn State Abington education majors.
Ten junior and senior Elementary and Early Childhood Education (EECE) majors and two professors — Rachael Erikson Brown and Kathleen Fadigan — partnered with the Highland Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization to conduct the STEM (science, technology, math, and engineering) enrichment program this semester.
The Abington students said they found the eight-week program with second- and third-graders increased their preparedness for teaching on their own, especially as the focus on STEM in elementary schools is increasing.
“Not only did the children strengthen their STEM skills, but I learned strategies on how to manage a classroom. I was able to see a lesson in action and gauge its effectiveness as a teacher,” EECE major Marci Feldman said.
Helen Lam agreed.
"This experience makes the skills I've learned more tangible, and I'm more comfortable teaching the lessons, so it is a win-win for us and the students,” Feldman said.
The EECE majors developed the lessons by getting to know the school community, the neighborhood, the students and their level of STEM preparedness — just as they will in the professional world. One student taught while another observed and later gave feedback. Among the STEM lessons they presented:
- Planning the cost of a meal using grocery store ads as a guide;
- Budgeting a visit to a museum including the cost of admission and deciding whether snacks and a visit to the gift shop were options;
- Plotting out a bus route with the least number of stops for the children in the enrichment program.
- Learning about the stars and constellations using mini-marshmallows and sticks to produce constellations.