Westfield State University hosted fourth graders from Highland Elementary during STEM seek, where they worked with inversion goggles to explore how eyes work.
Reminder Publishing submitted photo
WESTFIELD — Excitement was in the air during Westfield Public School’s STEM Week, Oct. 20-24, when a lot of special activities were planned for students from prekindergarten to Westfield High School.
Westfield River Preschool teacher Aimee Blair said, “When one my students walked into the classroom in the morning this week and saw science on the schedule they shouted, ‘We get to be scientists today!’”
The week started on Oct. 20 with Project Lead the Way teachers and leaders from elementary through high school attending the annual Project Lead the Way fall conference, where educators from across the state gathered to collaborate and share best practices in supporting students in the hands-on STEM Curriculum. This week also marked the launch of Project Lead the Way in all of the schools from kindergarten through fifth grade students.
“My favorite part about STEM Week is that it highlights what we’re already doing every day in our schools. STEM is woven into our curriculum at every grade level, starting as early as preschool. What we’re doing in Westfield Schools truly reflects this year’s theme ‘STEM Starts Now’ because we believe it’s never too early to start building curiosity and problem-solving skills,” said STEM coach Lindsey Ayers.
During the week, there were many examples of collaboration among different grade levels and with students in the community.
Students in WHS’s Project Lead the Way “Intro to Engineering Design” classes designed and built carnival games for young children. Their products were tested by the pros at Highland Elementary School on Thursday. Pre-K students had a blast testing the games and WHS students enjoyed seeing their products in action, teachers said.
Preschool students across the district explored hands-on STEM stations throughout the week. One favorite activity was “Exploding Jack,” where students learned about chemical reactions and had a blast watching Jack the pumpkin explode. WHS volunteers helped guide the preschoolers through the activity, making the experience even more engaging and fun.
Students across the district in kindergarten through sixth grade took part in “Stop, Drop & JiJi” during the week. At each school, every student paused their regular activities to log on to ST Math, the K–6 digital math program that builds problem-solving skills through interactive, visual learning with JiJi the penguin.
“What makes STEM Week special is that it gives us a chance to shine a light on the great teaching and learning that happens in our district every day. We had a couple of opportunities this week to bring together students from elementary and high schools, which is always so exciting for both the older kids and the younger kids — those events were the biggest highlight for me. And I got to meet JiJi,” said Chrissy Smith, WPS’s new supervisor of science, technology and engineering.
Smith was previously a biology teacher at WHS for the last 13 years. She said her new job will be to oversee the science, technology and engineering curriculum in grades 5 through 12, to provide support to the teachers of these subjects, and to be a liaison between the STEM programs and the community. “I am finding the new role very engaging and love getting to see, and help shape, the big picture of STEM learning in Westfield Public Schools,” she said.
Westfield State University hosted fourth graders from Highland Elementary to celebrate STEM Week. Students rotated through seven interactive stations led by WSU professors and students, exploring topics such as human bones, slime chemistry, brain types, inversion goggles, color chemistry, smell and animal communication. Afterward, they enjoyed lunch in the Dining Commons.
Highland fourth grade teacher Jordan Eicher said in preparation for the visit to WSU, their story selection in reading class for the past couple of weeks was “The Science Behind Sight,” which connects to the five senses and explains how eyes work. In science, the students had been learning how the eye takes in light through the lens, which then travels to the retina where the image is flipped upside down.
Eicher said the background knowledge tied in perfectly with the science stations at WSU. “At one station, students wore inversion goggles and tried to complete a maze, experiencing firsthand how vision affects movement and coordination.
Another station explored how animals use their senses to gather food, find prey, and detect predators.
“It was amazing to watch the students confidently and accurately answer questions from the college students and professors. This was such a meaningful and exciting learning experience for our fourth graders,” Eicher said.
The students especially liked looking at the models of brains and other organs. “Today at WSU was exceptional! For example, the STEM stations were so exciting and splendid, seeing the brains, smelling the scents, and making slime were so fun,” said fourth grader Brooklyn.
“I liked all the stations today because they have something to do with science and I like science. I liked how there were challenges for us too,” said Allie.
Eighth grade. “Computers for Innovators” students from Westfield Middle School visited the Westfield Gas & Electric Operations Center on Tuesday, to explore real-world applications of computer science. During the trip, students toured the facility and learned about electricity, coding, natural gas, fiber, and how physical computing connects to career pathways in the industry.
STEM Week is every week in Project Lead the Way classes at Westfield Middle School, according to STEM teacher Mary Burt. This week, her students were busy solving a foot orthosis instant design challenge, coding games and racing self-made skimmers.
At WHS, students in Eileen Lynch’s class were visited by Paula Palmer from Baystate Labs, who taught them about technical careers at area hospitals, many of which don’t require an advanced degree. Students then got to examine cell and tissue samples under the microscopes.
Palmer emphasized the essential role of phlebotomists in pathology labs. This was perfect timing, according to STEM Week organizers, as the phlebotomy certification course in WHS, which will be taught by biology teacher and certified phlebotomist Karen Saunders, kicked off after school this week.
“What I love most about STEM Week is the opportunity to celebrate STEM in our schools. Our students are curious and collaborative, and it’s wonderful to see their joy in problem-solving. It’s inspiring to watch students, from preschool to high school, explore new ideas, ask questions, and discover the excitement of innovation together,” said Kate Perez, WPS supervisor of mathematics.
