Going to the XSTREAM
<p>Braiden Gaertner, a third-grade student at Garwood Elementary School, fiddles with his electronic components Monday during an after school program called XSTREAM, which expands on science, technology, engineering and math by adding reading and art.</p>
<p>Copper Friddle tests his flashlight while using simple electronic parts after classes at Garwood Elementary.</p>
GARWOOD - Students' minds weren't the only lights turning on at Garwood Elementary on Monday.
Students in the after-school program called XSTREAM (science, technology, reading, engineering, arts and math) built flashlights with circuitry using littleBits space kits, toilet paper rolls and paper.
"If they don't work, you work on them until they do," said third-grader Jackson George. "I'm interested in anything electrical. I build all sorts of things at home with circuit boards."
After students constructed their flashlights, they had a light show with their "glowing monsters."
The class, called STEM Fun and Exploration, covered the science portion of STEM.
"It's really cool to know that electronics lets us do things such as build flashlights out of cardboard," Jackson said while trying his creation.
The school has expanded its after-school program to go beyond the STEM subjects, said Cassie Martines, school counselor and organizer of the program. Hence, the name is XSTREAM.
"This year we were able to create a strong program focusing on not only the concept of STEM, but also adding more to enhance the experience our students receive" Martines said. "Reading and art are also needed and necessary, and that's what sets this apart."
Martines said the program supplements what's taught in the classroom.
"It provides students with an enrichment opportunity that may not be provided during the school day," she said. "It's another avenue to think."
The program has grown in popularity. An increase from last year's 70, 104 students are participating this year. Classes are held from 3 to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
The program even offers a hunter's education class, a rarity in the public school system, Martines said.
Other classes include: LEGO Robotics, Readers Theater, Games Galore, Zumba, Cake Decorating and Google It.
Teachers, community members and older students volunteer to teach the classes, so there is no cost to run the program.
"This program becomes my world during this time of the year and is extremely rewarding," Martines said. "If it wasn't for these teachers/instructors, this program would not be possible."
Annika Peterson, a sixth-grader at Lakeland Junior High who is involved in her school's gifted and talented program, is a helper in Laura Spurway's STEM class at Garwood. Annika said she enjoys helping the younger kids learn about science.
"I wouldn't be doing much after school anyway," she said.
Students are charged $10 per class, but scholarships are provided to those who can't afford the fee. Money raised goes toward the school's parent-teacher organization, which funds school events.
Spurway said hearing students' excitement after working through challenges to reach their goals is music to her ears.
Third-grader Andrew Thorp was amazed once he finished making his flashlight.
"It works!" he said emphatically. "I got it to work."