Bucknell ES is among four FCPS elementary schools that have been awarded a total of $10,000 in STEM Competition Team Grants from the Virginia Department of Education. These grants will support project-based, team activities that increase student awareness of careers in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). 

Bucknell Elementary School will fund First Lego League Robotics Competition Teams to prepare Bucknell students for the 21st century workforce. According to Rashida Green, principal, Gina Toler, assistant principal, and Eva Bousbouras, STEAM resource teacher:

“Every occupation and every aspect of students’ lives will be impacted by STEM and Robotics. As students continue to progress in their lives, robotics will become ever-increasingly important. These competitions give students opportunities to solve real-world problems using teamwork applying STEM concepts they will learn in STEAM class.” 

Dranesville Elementary School will establish a STEAM Leadership Academy to nurture and support students’ interest in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). According to Jacki Young, instructional technology coach, Giselle Morris, resource teacher, and Jamie Gadley, principal:

“Through the academy, students will have opportunities to explore ways in which STEAM innovations and fields can positively impact our community and the world. Students throughout the Dranesville Elementary School community will develop STEAM and literacy skills as well as Portrait of a Graduate skills.”

Garfield Elementary School will be introduced to the United Nations Global Goals and participate in activities around global learning using micro:bit microcomputers. According to Kate Strotman, resource teacher, and April Cage, principal, students will:

“…learn how to use technology to solve global problems. After experimenting with different projects, students will then be able to come up with their own ideas for tech solutions. As a team, they will identify and research a problem, design and build a solution and then continue to test and improve their solution using technology.” 

Providence Elementary School will host a First LEGO League Explore Team to engage in this year’s LEGO League competition on solving the world’s energy crisis. According to Andrew Pratt, principal, and Heather Whitis, resource teacher, “The more that students are exposed to STEM careers and see the application of the STEM disciplines in real-life applications, the better able they can see themselves fitting into the STEM field.”

This grant funding from the VDOE helps to make it possible for more FCPS students to prepare for careers of the future, which is Goal 5 of our Strategic Plan. Students will apply engineering and computer science practices to test and improve their designs and solve team challenges. 
 

Learn more about STEAM and Computer Science in FCPS.