Teaching staff and Child Advocates enjoyed a training opportunity on Monday, Dec 21 around STEM provided by Patti Jo Wilson, a trainer from Lakeshore.  STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.  Discussion began with how people learn/retain best with retention being highest when learning is experienced and when we teach others.

Providing materials and activities in the classroom that promote STEM concepts encourage creativity, invention, curiosity, and persistence.  Children become thinkers and problem solvers while developing multiple steps, strategies, and deeper levels of understanding.  Connections were made between the use of STEM concepts and our School Readiness goals, the HS Early Learning Outcomes Framework, Project Approach, and CLASS.

Staff experienced this through simple childhood games, early childhood songs, and construction challenges with playing cards and then spaghetti and marshmallows.  Staff laughed, teamed, experienced failure of designs and tried again, pushed the boundaries, and thought outside the box.   It was a great training,