STEM collaboration for Whitman County students coming soon

COLFAX - Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories and Whitman County Library have free, hands-on Brown Bag Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) Kits coming to Colfax, Steptoe, Endicott, and St. John elementary students. Brown Bag STEM is a collaboration between Whitman County Library and Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories which came together with the common goal of providing a hands-on learning opportunity during this unprecedented time of virtual learning.

SEL granted $1,500 in funds to give more than 400 K-sixth grade students two Brown Bag STEM Kits filled with materials needed to complete STEM related design challenges and experiments.

Kindergarten to third grade students will receive “Marble Kit” and “Pencil Kit,” which guides them through engineering design challenges like creating a marble run or balancing a pencil. They will conduct experiments to explore scientific concepts of light refraction, potential, and kinetic energy.

“Popsicle Stick Kit” and “Straw Kit” will go out to fourth to sixth grade students asking them to create straw rescue devices and popsicle stick bridges. Exploration into scientific principles of flight and types of energy created when building a popsicle stick chain reaction.

Each kit will also include extra materials supplied by Palouse STEAM Coalition’s annual supply drive to encourage students to enhance their designs or create an Art project.

Students will be asked to send in pictures or videos of their creations from kits for a chance to win more STEM fun and a virtual visit from SEL electric-fault-seeking mascot, Radio Ranger.

Kits are being assembled now by WCL staff following recommended CDC guidelines and will be delivered to schools this week. Schools will then distribute to students.

WCL hopes to replicate this project for additional rural Whitman County students in our service area. If you are interested in supporting this effort, contact Nichole Kopp at 509-397-4366.