Cook Literacy Model School students had a blast with hands-on science lessons during a recent visit from the Winston-Salem State University STEAM Mobile Learning Lab.
The Mobile Learning Lab is equipped with tools and activities to provide learners of all ages with engaging and interactive scientific experiences. At Cook, the lab was staffed by 30 of the university’s RAMS mentors, who also work alongside Cook students throughout the year. Teachers at Cook believe that creating unique learning opportunities like this is a good way to increase student interest in what they’re studying in the classroom.
“We want to be able to give them these kinds of experiences whenever we can,” said Fifth Grade Teacher Brandi Craver. “This is how they pick up new interests.”
There were a wide variety of STEAM-connected fields to sample during the event. Fourth and fifth graders rotated between stations centered on animal biology, computer coding, chemistry, robotics, electrical engineering, and more. Each station’s activities were tied into STEAM career fields and presented students with problems to think through and overcome, just like they would have to if they pursued those disciplines in the future.
“They’re learning problem solving and critical thinking skills in addition to technology,” said Dr. Denise Johnson, Director of the Mobile Learning Lab. “We want them to connect the concepts they’re learning in class to real-life careers.”
Not every student in the school got to visit the Mobile Learning Lab during this visit, but based on the response the event got, Cook is already looking for more opportunities to host it again. Students who participated compared the experience to going on a field trip. It helped them see science and technology from a fresh and exciting perspective.
“I liked it because it reminded me of going to a museum,” said Fifth Grader Amyna Crews. “It was wild stuff. It inspired me.”
To learn more about the WSSU STEAM Mobile Learning Lab, go online to www.wssu.edu/steam.