One of the joys of working with middle school students, they start out slow, not very engaged, and then the team dynamics and competitive spirit kick in. At James E. Shepard IB Middle School, the same happened with our Cooking With STEM activity. Initially, when sharing cooking concepts with students, few believe cooking is Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. During the discussion, we pose several questions to students.

Where does the waffle mix come from? Who designed and manufactured the waffle iron? How much of an item do you use and how do you determine the amount? Is a recipe a formula? If you measure 1/2 teaspoon instead of 1/2 cup, what will happen to the recipe? If someone is allergic to eggs, do you change the recipe? What happens if you don't like the outcome of waffle? What process do you use to improve the product? At home or in a restaurant, ALL these inputs are important. 

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We had a great time at James E. Shepard introducing students to Cooking With STEM.  At 3:45PM, students were fully engaged and learned how to work as a TEAM. More importantly, they had a greater appreciation for reading and comprehension. Check out their work!!! Well, for some reason, none of the 21st Century teachers would join me to determine THE BEST TASTING WAFFLE. Yes, I took one for the team. Well 3 for the team.  Several groups were so elated with their waffle, the ate the submission. :o) Nothing like excitement over your finished product. We meet students where they are and take routine activities like baking a waffle and make it a STEM team contest.  Well, maybe not so routine afterall! 

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The GHCI and James E. Shepard I.B. Middle School partnership began in 2012. Students have met aviators, entrepreneurs, software and game designers, physicians, veterinarians, an astronaut, logistics engineers, industrial engineers, biomedical researchers, agronomist, and many other STEAM business professionals.

 

GHCI "Looking Forward with STEM" and "Knowledge is Power" programs, offer unique STEM

learning opportunities for students. 

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By the end of the school year, middle school students will: 

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- Improve their reading, math and science skills

- Understand the importance of preparation and consistency over time

- Engage in team building exercises and truly believe in teamwork

- Believe If They Can, They Can. Also dream BIG!!! 

- Work collaboratively using the Engineering Design Process 

- Engage with STEM professionals who look like them for mentoring opportunities

 

To date, GHCI STEM programs have reached over 2400 students at James E. Shepard I.B. Middle School. Both Principal Archer and 7th grade science educator, Joseph K. Davis, Jr. indicated, "At Shepard, we are blessed to have such a long-term partnership with GHCI. The students have greatly benefited from the programs and the exposure. It is more than educational enrichment; it is Life Skills 101."   For more information about GHCI, please call 919.931.6019.

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Looking Forward with STEM is a mentoring and tutoring program that encourages minority students in middle schools to embrace the challenges of the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) curriculum. By leveraging the experiences of student interns who have participated in STEM programs, coupled with our extensive professional network, we’re able to share examples of how STEM impacts lives "glocally" - local actions with global reach.