Creston ECC awarded STEM grant

The Creston Early Childhood Center was awarded the STEM BEST grant by the Iowa STEM Advisory Council.

According to a press release by the STEM BEST Program, “The STEM BEST (Businesses Engaging Students and Teachers) + HD (High Demand) Program encourages teachers and industry professionals to work side-by-side to develop a work-based learning model that incorporates STEM subjects with experiential learning opportunities to emphasize high-demand skills for the workplace.”

The school is utilizing this through the ECC Explore program.

“By creating meaningful, hands-on learning opportunities, the ECC Explore program immerses our students in career exploration while making curricular connections,” ECC representatives said. “This innovative zone features various centers that replicate businesses and experiences in our community. Through purposeful play, exploration and instruction, students make connections to science, math, technology and communication.”

ECC Explore is working alongside high school CAST students.

“Community partners help learners engage in activities that apply critical thinking, problem solving and workplace experiences and skills,” ECC representatives said. “Creston High School CAST students have supported this program with the launch of Keely’s Careers and Exploring with Ella. A broadcasted series designed to showcase local businesses through virtual field trips and interviews. These series are written and produced by CAST students.”

This program was originally launched in the fall of 2022, after the Creston Community School District received grant funding from STEM BEST earlier in the year.

“Something the grant really calls for is that we solve problems, so we post a question and the students use the materials that are available to them to solve the problem,” Creston Early Childhood Center Principal Callie Anderson said during a November School Board meeting.

She explained one of the problem solving activities they have done in the past.

“One of the questions that we asked was, can you construct something that can withstand the wind,” Anderson said. “They used their materials and built a structure and then we had a bunch of different types of fans that we threw at the structures. If their’s fell over, then they had to problem solve how to make it more durable and more lasting.”

Creston Middle School STEM teacher Kim Fourez explained her approach to STEM isn’t just in the classroom.

“One thing is with STEM, they call it a class, but what we’re trying to build in this district is a culture in STEM,” Fourez said. “Hopefully they’re going to use those skills in their other classes.”

Grants are given based off approval from the STEM Advisory Council, a group established in July 2011 in order to address policies and programs that will help the educational system in Iowa to focus on STEM.

This year, 37 schools were awarded this grant of up to $40,000 each. Along with Creston, East Union and Orient-Macksburg school districts were given this award.

Creston Elementary showcased some of their STEM work on Wednesday at STEM on the Hill, where kindergarteners shared what they learned at the capitol.

“The Creston Early Childhood Center was excited and honored to be chosen as one of 18 schools featured at STEM Day at the Capitol,” ECC representatives said. “Exemplar STEM programs from all over the state were invited to the Capitol to showcase how they are using Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council programs to our legislators. Three of Mrs. Tamerius’ kindergarten students shared what they have learned in our ECC Explore Lab. It was a great day of sharing and learning for our ECC students.”