Published On: December 16th, 2019By Valonia Walker, APR

Black Elementary STEM Family Night Success

Students and families at Black Elementary School enjoyed a night of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The campus hosted their first family STEM Night on December 5. Families in attendance experienced interactive hands-on STEM activities for all ages.

During the event, families were able to make their own LED rockets, learn how to code with Minecraft, participate in hands-on math games, create Cardboard Kingdom masks and shields, program robots and more.

A crowd favorite during the event was the MaKr U bus. The refurbished bus travels across the greater Houston area to provide engaging STEM activities to students. The mobile makerspace offered authentic learning experiences for both students and parents.

Last year, Black Elementary School received a $10,000 grant for materials to create a STEM lab for students. The grant allowed the campus to give their elementary students access to STEM activities. The STEM lab is also used for the Black Elementary STEM and coding club. The club meets before school twice a week and works with district staff to expand their knowledge of STEM, coding and robotics.

STEM is beneficial to elementary students, due to the inquiry-based teaching methods that are student-centered. STEM lessons give students ownership over their learning. Through STEM students learn teamwork, collaboration, critical thinking and problem solving. Activities like makerspaces provide students an opportunity to fail and try again in a safe environment.