Hands-on experiences
Magnet students showcase what they’ve learned
It was an evening filled with curators, docents and exhibits covering everything from weather and insects to world travel and the Everglades.
It was all part of the recent Night at the Museum at Colbert Elementary School in Hollywood.
Two years ago, Colbert Elementary received a grant that allowed it to expand its STEM magnet program and purchase learning tools and resources. Incorporating science, technology, engineering and math, Colbert uses a museum-based, hands-on approach to learning.
“We’re seeing that our kids are really enjoying this type of learning,” said STEM magnet facilitator Stacey Rasner.
Each grade level was given a standard to focus on, and classes within each grade picked projects. The Night at the Museum served as an open house for children to show off what they’d learned and worked on throughout the year.
Students served as docents, or tour guides, and carefully explained parts of the project to guests and prospective school families.
Second-graders explored Totally Twisted Weather. One class looked at the meteorology behind tornadoes, while others examined the aftermath of a tornado and how to prepare, displaying disaster zones and storm shelters at the event.
“The kids just eat up hands-on learning,” said kindergarten teacher and team leader Heather Forbing. “They adore working with everything they can and really gain a lot from the experience.”
Parents and guests were encouraged to ask questions and participate in hands-on experiences. The event also featured a multicultural performance, rocket launches, a book fair and a visit from the GABIE Agricultural Tour Bus.
Rasner said the Sprouting STEM grant has helped boost school enrollment from about 500 to more than 700 students.
“We have people waiting to get in here now,” Rasner said. “… We want parents to know that, ‘Hey, this is what you’ve been missing.’ We want our kids back. This STEM magnet program is our best-kept secret.”
For more information on the magnet program, call 754-323-5100 or visit www. browardschoolsinnovativeprograms.com.