Marilyn Fox and Christine Harold, both of whom are science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) educators, presented the evening’s program, “Opportunities for Branch Involvement in STEM Programs for Young Women.” Fox recently retired as a science teacher in USD 383; Harold leads the USD 383 STEM team.
Harold defined STEM: “STEM is an approach to teaching and learning that integrates STEM skills through project-based learning.” The USD 383 STEM team is funded by a Department of Defense grant. Each year, Harold plans a summer STEM Institute for school children and models how to teach STEM lessons in the classroom. Harold finds engineering concepts to be the most challenging for teachers to integrate into their lesson plans. Harold and her team have visited every 6th grade class in USD 383 and are currently helping to teach these youth to build lego robots.
The STEM Institute for youth grades five through eight runs each summer at K-state. The cost for students is $100 for four weeks. This year, thanks to Fox’s advocacy, the Manhattan branch of AAUW will sponsor two scholarships to the STEM Institute. Fox noted why she began to advocate for STEM camp scholarships. Girls are still under-represented in STEM fields and even at the STEM Institute. Fox would like to make the camp accessible to kids who might otherwise not be able to go and especially to girls.
The next Manhattan AAUW branch meeting will be held at the First Congregational Church, 700 Poyntz Avenue, at 6pm, Monday, April 13. Deb Kluttz, Executive Pastor of Westview Community Church will present, “Crimes Against Women: Violence, Rape, and Sex Trafficking.” Persons interested in learning more about AAUW in Manhattan may go to manhattan-ks.aauw.net or email manhattanksaauw@gmail.com.