STEMvisions Blog

Halfway through the 2013-2014 school year, two third-grade students approached Atalaya Elementary School principal Diane Katenmeyer-Delgado and asked if they could start a science club. Principal Katenmeyer-Delgado, supported the idea but told the two girls that they needed a teacher to oversee the program. After only a few weeks, the girls had succeeded ... they convinced sixth-grade teacher Ms. Michels to take the lead. Together, the team recruited nearly 15 sixth grade students to lead science activities and roughly 30 third through fifth grade students to participate as learners.

"It was an amazing thing to see happen," said principal Katenmeyer-Delgado.

The science club, headed by Ms. Michaels, met every other Thursday during lunch and recess. Sixth grade students led younger students through science activities to teach them about things like mass, matter, density, and volume.

Isobel, who was a sixth grade science leader this past year at Atalya, took part as a leader in the science club. "It was fun to work with other kids and teach them about different lessons," she said.

Principal Katenmeyer-Delgado explained that the younger students' interest in science began at the beginning of the year, and "about halfway through the year, the fever had struck." Older students would walk around around in lab coats and goggles, and the younger students naturally got excited.

Atalaya Elementary School is a Phase 1 LASER i3 school, and its teachers have been teaching STC Units over the past three years. With an increased focus on science, science fair participation has increased, and teachers now focus on science professional development activities during early release Fridays said principal Katenmeyer-Delgado.

"There's no doubt that students are more interested in science," said principal Katenmeyer-Delgado. "These kids are already looking forward to it for next year."