This month, we turn our STEM spotlight on the Fort Madison Community School District and their thriving STEM culture. Among the STEM efforts in the district is the implementation of multiple STEM Scale-Up programs. As Wendy Bailey, instructional coach for the district, puts it:

"The Iowa STEM Scale-Up programs have brought STEM to life in the Fort Madison School District! These programs have helped teachers meet goals of increasing student engagement and encouraging students to take the lead in their learning through hands-on, collaborative problem-solving, while emphasizing exploration, persistence, and creativity."

Bailey reports that first-grade science teachers recently implemented their Hand2Mind Investigating Everyday Phenomena kits. Students explored sun-and-star patterns and mimicked animal behavior while creating lasting connections between science and real-world problem-solving. Bailey adds that the teacher training and materials, provided by the STEM Scale-Up program, equip teachers to confidently implement the programs, ensuring lessons are both engaging and impactful.

Bailey adds that teachers have praised the Investigating Everyday Phenomena kits for their highly engaging activities, with one teacher noting: “The kits create a hands-on experience for kids that directly connects with our science curriculum. These fun activities allow kids to see and feel new information to form brain connections and lasting memories.” 

"Thanks to the Iowa STEM Scale-Up programs, teachers are inspiring a lifelong love of learning while equipping students with the skills to thrive in the future," said Bailey.

Learn more about this year's Scale-Up programs here.