Leesburg Elementary students Gisel, Jackson, Herberto and McKenzy have fun engineering roller coasters for STEM.

By DANI BARKEY
Chief Accountability Officer, Warsaw Community Schools Warsaw Community Schools

Leesburg Elementary fourth grade students demonstrated an example of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), project-based learning during the month of December. Fourth grade teachers prepared an application process for the students to apply for a roller coaster engineering team.

The students were required to complete an application and write a persuasive essay. The top candidates will be picked to interview with the teachers and staff. The selected candidates will form an engineering team and build a K’Nex roller coaster.

The students will also create a sign-up system for other students to play with the roller coaster during indoor recess. The engineering team will be responsible for the care and repair of the coaster.

This is just one of the many examples of STEM activities and project-based learning designed by grade level teachers at Leesburg Elementary School.