RAPRD has received a grant from the Oregon Department of Education to become a STEM Beyond Schools provider. This funding will support a new program, STEMQuest, a series of camps focusing on experiential learning of STEM themes, which we will offer free to 3rd-5th graders. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, and encourages a focus on hands-on, experiential learning through investigation, exploration, and projects.
STEM programs emphasize the power of kids to discover their world through hands-on experiential learning. In STEMQuest, students will have a place each week where they can become scientists and explorers, builders and botanists; where they can be physically active, mentally engaged, and creatively inspired.
STEMQuest will take place after school on early release Wednesdays, and on non-school teacher workdays. We will offer over 100 hours of STEM exploration, with half taking place at Lynch and Tom McCall elementary schools, and half taking place away from school. During these day camps, drop-off/pick-up will occur at a local non-school site such as COCC, the Redmond Caves, or the Redmond Airport. If the day camp location is more distant, like the High Desert Museum, or Pine Mountain Observatory, we will provide round-trip transportation from Redmond. All STEMQuest supplies, materials, transportation, and snacks are free.
This is one of the biggest benefits of STEMQuest to Redmond area kids, says Tyler Best, RAPRD Enrichment Program Coordinator. “Since it’s free, it is available and open to everyone, even kids who have never tried STEM stuff before. You don’t have to buy a science kit or pay for classes, you can just go to this program after school and learn in a fun, creative environment.” Another important benefit is the personalized attention kids can receive in STEMQuest, due to the low teacher to participant ratio (1:15). Since STEMQuest puts kids in the driver’s seat, allowing them to weigh in on what content and projects they are interested in, and letting them direct their own learning, this low ratio is important for supporting kids as they find their inner scientist.
Oregon has adopted the Next Generation Science Standards,” Best explains, “which standardize the teaching of STEM in the United States. This means other kids will be learning the same way across the country: using the same tools, techniques, and methods, but not necessarily the same content. Our group of kids will determine what content they’re interested in, but the NGSS give an outline of the curriculum and help instructors understand how to break everything down for kids.”
“The main goal is to make the kid the educator: they set the tone, they set the pace for their own learning process. They engage in a fun way, they get to learn fluidly in a fun environment. The idea is that the kid is the scientist, and their interests and input will drive curriculum,” Best added. This is different than daycare and it’s different than school. Because of who we are at RAPRD, our focus will be on fun, physical activity, and creative problems solving.
STEMQuest will run over the course of the 2018-2019 academic year (35 weeks), during which time participants will explore five broad STEM themes:
Physical Science: Forces in Motion
Life Science: Ecosystems – Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics
Earth Systems & Earth’s Place in the Universe
The Science of Space
Engineering & Design
The support and encouragement of engaged family members is so important to the success of our participants and our program, we want to thank you for all you do. Therefore, we will have two family days during the course of the year where kids can show their families their projects over a slice of pizza. If you are interested in volunteering with STEMQuest, please let us know!
