A Merced City School District dream became reality this week, when the first groups of students began using our new cutting edge STEAM Center after years of planning and months of construction. The facility provides a modern space for hands-on lessons that integrate science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics, while allowing teachers to collaborate alongside their students. It was designed to help prepare our children for bright futures in high demand fields.
Approximately 150 sixth graders from Ada Givens and Charles Wright elementary schools were the first to begin using the 5460 square foot center, which is located next to Givens. They learned about thermal energy by developing hypotheses, conducting experiments, making modifications, and sharing their conclusions. One of the activities focused on conduction. The students placed small pieces of wax at different distances on a metal rod and touched the tip to a hot surface. They made predictions and recorded how long it took for each piece to melt. Meanwhile, another group of students was outside taking part in a thermal energy “scavenger hunt.” It involved determining the temperatures of various surfaces using a non-contact digital laser infrared thermometer and analyzing the factors that contributed to each one being higher or lower than the air temperature.
Our Coordinator of STEAM Education, Adrienne Nau, says, “It is so exciting to see the kids using the STEAM Center the way we intended as we designed this space over the past few years. The students are really enjoying the hands-on experience, and the flexible collaborative spaces encourage them to share ideas and knowledge with one another.”
All of our students will get to enjoy the STEAM Center, but the experiences vary by grade level. Fourth, fifth, and sixth graders will spend three consecutive days at the facility tackling the toughest physical science concepts in addition to corresponding lessons at their school sites before and after their visits. Our other grade levels will get to visit the center for STEAM-based workshops, interactive presentations, and special events. The facility was thoughtfully designed for this type of learning, from the folding glass write-on walls to the 21st century audio-visual technology to the outdoor amphitheater. It represents an exciting expansion of our award-winning STEAM program, which also includes educational excursions to places such as Yosemite National Park, Farm 2U, and local performing arts programs.
As we continue to develop and improve that program, we truly value our partnerships with all of our stakeholders. We held the first of three parent/community nights at the STEAM Center on August 24th and are planning two more from 6-7 p.m. on September 28 and January 25. We would also like to invite everyone to a dedication ceremony on October 25 at 10:30 a.m. The address for the STEAM Center is 2900 Green Street. We look forward to showcasing this facility and sharing more about how we can all work together to help our students succeed.
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