An international not-for-profit public charity that motivates young people to pursue education and career opportunities in science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM) has committed to help enhance those subjects for every fourth grade student in Manchester.
FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) has been encouraging young people’s interest and participation in science and technology for more than 25 years.
The organization was founded by inventor Dean Kamen in 1989 to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology. The city’s elementary schools now have a unique opportunity to bring the popular FIRST LEGO League (FLL) program into their classrooms.
“FIRST is the expert in project-based learning, and it’s in our own backyard,” said Mayor Ted Gatsas. “This collaboration will give all of our young fourth graders across the city the confidence to participate, learn and compete.”
The school district is calling the collaboration “Junior STEAM Ahead,” a reference to “STEAM Ahead,” a secondary-level program at West High School which focuses on science, technology, engineering, arts and math curriculum through similar business and higher education partnerships.
The implementation plan for Junior STEAM Ahead will begin with three schools, Beech Street, Green Acres and Jewett Street. In 2015, four more schools will be added, and the remaining elementary schools in the city will participate starting in the 2016-17 school year.
“We asked every elementary school to submit a proposal and apply to the program for this pilot year,” said Dr. Debra Livingston, superintendent of schools. “We chose three schools this round, but all of our fourth grade teachers and principals are eager to explore the learning opportunities the program will provide.”
As part of the Junior STEAM Ahead program, each fourth grade classroom will participate in FIRST LEGO League with teams of six students. They will design, build, and program robots using LEGO MINDSTORMS and other LEGO elements. The lessons involve applying math and science concepts, as well as learning critical thinking, team-building and presentation skills.
The 2014/2015 FIRST LEGO League (FLL ) season will task students with exploring the
future of learning as part of a new Challenge called FLL WORLD CLASS. More than
260,000 children in nearly 80 countries will teach adults about the ways that kids need and want to learn in the 21st century, and will develop their own innovative tools to help others gather knowledge as part of the FLL season Challenge.
“This is project-based learning at its best,” said Donald E. Bossi, President of FIRST. “What separates us from traditional science fairs and textbook learning is that the kids who participate attack real-world challenges and invent the solutions.”
Another aspect of the program collaboration is a visit to the SEE Science Center in Manchester. Every year, all 14 elementary schools will bring their fourth grade students on a field trip, at no cost to the school district. FIRST is paying for the transportation, and SEE Science Center is waiving the admission fees.
“SEE Science Center is a wonderful resource to introduce children to the idea that science and technology are relevant in the real world and everyday life,” said Dr. Livingston. “We are grateful to FIRST for the opportunity to give our students that experience and ignite the excitement they can bring back to the classroom.”
Fourth grade teachers in Manchester also will receive FIRST LEGO League training and learn how to implement the program into the school day. A full day workshop was hosted by FIRST in September at SEE Science Center; additional training for Manchester teachers will be scheduled later this fall.
