June 5, 2024, 12:30 p.m. ET
The elementary school’s STEAM club is thriving as students develop engineering, critical thinking and problem-solving skills within a playful and creative environment as part of a weekly after school program.
In the spring, students have completed several engineering projects including a toy zip line, paper helicopters, bird feeders, a balance scale and a coding activity all of which helped them learn about the engineering process. Students work on their own manipulating the materials and making their plans to build the projects. They also receive some support from the teacher and middle school volunteers from the Christian service program.
“Students are developing their tinkering skills and truly enjoying their projects. The dynamic with the older students is very positive and students learn from them ways to improve their design,” shared Pastor Claire, who is leading the club. “I can also see they are learning to manipulate the materials better and be less afraid of making mistakes.”
The STEAM club is going to wrap up at the end of the school year and re-start in September. Olivet Academy prays that students can have interest in the field.
