An after-school program focused on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) projects at William Wiley Elementary and an aeroponic gardening project at Chief Joseph Middle School will benefit from $1,250 in grants awarded to those schools.
The schools were recently awarded STEM Like Me! Grants for the projects. The grants are supported by the Dream Builder’s Educational Network in partnership with the Mid-Columbia STEM Network and are aimed at providing innovative STEM learning opportunities in schools throughout the region.
Staff at Wiley plan to use their $250 grant to continue offering the “Think Differently” after-school STEM program. Students explore hands-on projects as a way to learn more about STEM fields and careers through the program. It is led by Wiley alum Emily Peite, currently a Washington State University (WSU) Tri-Cities student and the 2018-19 Washington STEM Super Youth Advocate for the region.
The 150 seventh-grade students at Chief Joseph will all take part in the Tower Garden Project with their school’s $1,000 grant. Students will grow food crops using an aeroponic gardening system. The project is aimed at teaching students about agricultural STEM careers as well as nutrition, plant development and the impacts on resources from food production.