Northview Primary in Kodak, TN has launched their new STEM Lab. Designated a STEM School in 2021, the team wasted no time in furthering their STEM programming. Dr. Hans Ballew, principal, is passionate about reaching his students and providing them the chance to dream big. He is also quick to praise his staff for their innovative ideas and student-centered instruction.
When asked what inspired the design of this space, Dr. Ballew stated, "The inspiration of the Space Station came from a book study Cassie Cate did with the [staff] over the summer. Then we met Wade from Extreme Vinyl Graphics and we collaborated on the design with Andrea Burnette, Cassie Cate, and Dr. Cannon, our county technology coach."
Embodying design thinking and the engineering design process, the team thought about what the students would need to access the information and how to best engage them. They reached out to community partners and collaborated with everyone from their local STEM Innovation Hub at the University of Tennessee Knoxville, to their school board members, parents, and district leaders.
This state-of-the-art area will have students exploring the wonders of the cosmos at the push of a button. Each station is preloaded with standards-aligned lessons for every grade level. Students will not only be watching videos with experts in the fields but their school leadership as well. Dr. Ballew and other staff members have recorded special videos for each topic. This way students don't just hear from unknown, STEM experts; instead, they can see their potential as a STEM expert from the leaders they know and trust. The staff at Northview Primary can't wait to see students reactions to the new lab space. "We want their eyes to light up and we know they will be over the moon and engaged! We will be using our older students to help guide the curriculum and partner with other local schools to make video content so that it is all student focused."
The revitalized STEM space is filled with six unique station rotations, where young minds will be continually immersed in a new challenges, from literacy to design thinking to math. There are opportunities for students to participate in individual, small group, and whole class learning. Dr. Cannon, the Sevier County Schools Technology Coach, has created Breakout Rooms for each grade level to challenge their creative problem-solving skills and support time for reflection and failure in a safe and fun environment.
Additionally, This STEM space will thematically change throughout the year to keep students excited for the next big idea! When considering what for Northview Primary, Dr. Ballew has a few final touches for the "Space" theme before the next theme, "Safari", is implemented. "The next step is to build content for the Space Station aligned to state standards and create "shovel ready" STEM lessons for teachers to have at their fingertips. We will also be creating a rocket in the corner of the room with a touch screen computer. The entire room will allow for student interaction as soon as they walk in through a laser trip wire that will trigger several different media such as the rocket blasting off. We are building a career center that will be dressed like a career that changes each six weeks. We are building a telescope powered by an iPad. We will also be transforming our hallways into interactive areas."
In reflecting on how STEM has changed the culture of the school, Dr. Ballew observed, "Collaboration has improved tremendously and teacher motivation is through the roof! I feel like our teachers know that there is literally nothing they cannot accomplish. Our community engagement and support has grown tenfold. Our parents are active in the learning process and fully engaged in the STEM program!" What a testament to the power of a STEM culture on a school and community.
Special thanks to Dr. Ballew and the staff at Northview Primary for inviting TSIN to the unveiling of their STEM lab and for taking the time to be interviewed.
