New learning space offers ‘STEM on steroids’ … with a catapult

Doris Biegler had a problem. She needed space to store her inflatable NASA capsule, various robot parts, a few plastic volcanoes, 3-D printers, PVC pipe and numerous plastic bins full of toothpicks, sponges, glue sticks, plastic spoons, drones and popsicle sticks.

And a catapult.

Biegler is technology trainer/Makerspace coordinator for Lawton Public Schools and this summer she moved into her new “office” — the former gymnasium at Washington Elementary School. The huge space gives her room to store the many materials for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) that are used in LPS elementary schools. The space has since been dubbed “the STEM gym”.

It is at the STEM gym that teachers come to play and let their imaginations run wild. During a recent training session, teachers participated in a spirited game of “Hungry Hungry Hippos”.

But it isn’t all play for teachers. They come to the STEM gym to learn and to be inspired by the wide assortment of materials Biegler has collected.

In addition to the pipe cleaners and toothpicks, other storage containers, which line the perimeter of the gym, contain adding machine tape, rubberbands, circuit materials, drones, bottles for liquid density tests, rulers, magnets, chalk, plastic bags and tape of all kinds. One large bin contains nothing but foil.

“We go through a lot of foil. We use a lot of foil in our culinary classes,” Biegler said.

Nothing goes to waste at the STEM gym.

A local business, HTeaO, recently donated several unused gallon jugs. One teacher has already laid claim to them as building material for an igloo. A rack full of basketballs left over from the building’s former use won’t be discarded, Biegler said. They will be used to teach students about velocity.

“If you give me a material, I promise you I will make it a STEM material,” Biegler said.

Since robotics is an integral part of the Makerspace program, Biegler has a wide assortment of robots and robot parts. One large table contains a setup for this year’s FIRST LEGO League robotics season, called “SUBMERGED,” which is inspired by the ocean. Teachers can come try out the missions for themselves or bring their students in for training.

Biegler isn’t the only one who sees the possibilities the STEM gym offers. Makerspace teachers see it as a place where ideas can be exchanged.

“We will be able to get together and get the kids thinking. The kids will get to see how other kids think differently. We can showcase the cool things kids are doing,” said Samantha Martin, Makerspace teacher at Lincoln and Cleveland elementary schools.

“Having more interaction among the schools is what I’m excited to see, “ said Brooke Rooney, Makerspace teacher at Freedom Elementary School.

Rooney and Martin think the STEM gym can be used for professional development for middle school teachers.

“We give them (elementary students) a phenomenal experience,” Martin said.

Martin and Rooney want to share that experience with their peers in secondary schools. They see the STEM gym as a place where middle school teachers can come for professional development.

“Middle school science teachers can come to the gym and be stimulated creatively,” Rooney said.

Martin and Rooney hope teachers will not be the only ones whose creativity is kindled. They plan to have open houses at the gym for parents so they can see what their children experience in STEM classes.

Another benefit of the STEM gym is that teachers will have the opportunity to try large projects and to make noise without disturbing other classes.

“Students have a place where they can design and build and be loud,” Biegler said. “STEM is loud. We can use the space without interrupting the school day for other students.”

Having the playground at the school is also a plus, Biegler said. “Students can go outside and use the playground for parachute testing.”

Even the most unusual item will find a home at the STEM gym.

“Sometimes we think of a lesson to use donated items for,” Biegler said.

Like the catapult.

The catapult was donated by a college student who built it for a project and didn’t need it anymore, Biegler said. Rooney already is making plans to use the catapult in her Makerspace lessons.

“We can use it to teach angles and force applied,” Rooney said. “Fourth and fifth graders can design a rocket that flies. We can tie in each grades’ science and engineering.

“This is STEM on steroids,” Rooney said of the STEM gym.