District News

Harper Creek Middle School STEAM Students Receive Tools to Provide Hands-On Experiences

Middle School STEAM teacher, Erica Jenkins, received a FOCUS Grant from the Guido A. and Elizabeth Binda Foundation, coordinated by the Calhoun Intermediate School District, allowing her to purchase two new tools to support her students in solving problems using the engineering design process. 

The first tool is Sphero Blueprint. Sphero Blueprint kits allow students to design and engage in mechanical and structural engineering. The kits further permit the students to create prototypes using consistent materials. In the past, students had to rely on donated and recycled materials, along with a lot of glue and tape giving inconsistent outcomes. Sphero Blueprint lets the students design and build their prototypes quickly using reusable materials giving more opportunities to test and reevaluate their structures. 

The second item purchased with the grant is the Finch 2.0 Robots. Students can solve problems through coding and gain hands-on robotics experience. The Finch Robots provide continuity and focus in coding by progressing from teaching coding on the computer to physical programming.

These tools allow students to have hands-on lessons with real-world applications, providing opportunities for cross-curricular experiences, collaboration, and engaging project-based learning. 

Harper Creek Community Schools is grateful to Ms. Jenkins for her time and dedication to creating thoughtful lessons and seeking out new ways to Educate, Empower, and Equip Students for Life.