Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44 Page 45 Page 46 Page 47 Page 48 Page 49 Page 50 Page 51 Page 52 Page 53 Page 54 Page 55 Page 56 Page 57 Page 58 Page 59 Page 60 Page 61 Page 62 Page 63 Page 64 Page 65 Page 66 Page 67 Page 68 Page 69 Page 70 Page 71 Page 7222 S G M A G A Z I N E | FA L L 2 0 1 6 B U S I N E S S + C U LT U R E 23 Pine Grove Middle School: BLAST Off with STEM Students at Pine Grove Middle (PGM) are taking STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education to new heights. One of three middle schools within Lowndes County Schools, PGM received a $700,000 Innovation Fund Implementation BLAST (Boosting Learning through Authentic STEM Teaching) grant from the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement. The BLAST grant is being used to create hands-on curriculum that reinforces STEM content and helps students develop and strengthen critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, and self- management skills. The grant is also assisting teachers in creating innovative STEM course content and applied language experience, as well as demonstrating real-world lessons that connect STEM concepts beyond the classroom. With funds from the BLAST grant, PGM was able to construct a new STEM lab. “The students will use our new STEM lab where they can identify a problem; design, create, and develop a solution; and realize that failure am sure new ideas and opportunities for the entire district will come from these efforts.” With grant funds provided by PLTW and the GOSA, Valdosta City Schools is implementing PLTW curriculum in each of its elementary and middle schools this year as a way to expose more students to STEM education and careers. This summer, J.L. Newbern Middle School retrofitted two classrooms into a STEM lab to host electives for students in grades sixth through eighth. A portion of the funds from the Harley Langdale Jr. Foundation was used to support classroom supplies. Valdosta City Schools updated and added additional computers to support the PLTW engineering software for the design and modeling coursework. Once students move to Valdosta High School, there will be a multitude of STEM-related courses and opportunities available. “We plan to explore additional computer science offerings and to work with students to develop a program of study to support his or her interests related to STEM,” Alvarez said. “Valdosta High School competes in VEX Robotics competitions and offers students specialty science, math, CTAE (Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education), and Move on When Ready courses.” Valdosta City Schools hosts several STEM-related competitions and events throughout the year and works closely with Valdosta State University’s STEM faculty to incorporate hands-on learning and projects. “Valdosta City Schools is excited to expand STEM opportunities for students and plans to work with community partners to continue to grow STEM initiatives,” Alvarez said. Pine Grove Middle School life science teacher Zach Hurley creates a natural classroom environment in the school’s food forest area, which includes a new greenhouse and hydroponics/aquaponics system. and error correction are part of the design process,” said Tammi Sims, PGM instructional coach. “The new greenhouse and hydroponics lab are finished. In addition to these structures, this school year an outdoor STEM classroom will be built so that elementary school children can come to campus, tour, and complete activities in the food forest or greenhouse as PGM STEM students serve as peer tutors/teachers.” STEM-focused learning is not limited to the academic school year. As part of the BLAST grant, PGM hosted its first STEM Summer Institute this year, providing 75 rising fourth through eighth-grade students with activities focused on engineering and robotics, coding, and agriculture. The students were able to collaborate, plan, design, and problem-solve with their peers while building boats, bridges, and robots and working in the school’s food forest. “PGM’s STEM camp was all that we hoped it would be—innovative, hands- on, and the use of applied learning,” said PGM Principal Ivy Smith. “Teachers and students alike were excited, enthusiastic, and engaged.” Life science teacher Zach Hurley enjoys creating a natural classroom environment. During the summer institute, he enlightened the students on developing a healthy respect for where food comes from and the importance of agriculture. “One of the best parts of my job is getting to see the children try new things,” said Hurley, who admits he did not grow up on a farm but has acquired an appreciation for agriculture. “My job is to teach life science. What I am trying to do is connect two things that I am extremely passionate about—that is PHOTO: PAUL LEAVY teaching and growing food.” BLAST grant funding also allowed PGM to construct a greenhouse that includes a hydroponics and aquaponics learning lab that will help increase the students’ awareness of the scientific aspects of agriculture. Hydroponics (a subset of hydroculture) is the method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions in water (without soil). The aquaponics system incorporates raising aquatic animals such as fish and shrimp in tanks. “Outside in the labs, the students can see what we are talking about in the classroom,” Hurley said. “Growing the vegetables and using the hydroponics is not something we have to do as part of the curriculum, but it works with the curriculum. We are connecting science to agriculture.” According to Smith, PGM is working toward STEM program certification through the Georgia Department of Education and is currently finalizing its third year of implementation, with plans to invite the certification committee for a site visit during this academic year. “PGM’s approach to STEM education is unique in that we have two different cohorts of students,” explained Smith. “Most STEM programs are centered around accelerated classes and high-achieving students. At PGM, we believe in extending our STEM classes to accelerated students as well as interest-based students.” The school uses grade level, interest- based surveys completed by the students to identify if they are interested in robotics, computer coding, or agriculture/farming. Based on those results, students are selected to participate in one of these areas. B U S I N E S S + C U LT U R E 23