Jackpot students, teachers showcase STEM projects and new school store plans

Zach Hunter, Jackpot Combined Schools’ building trades and construction-technology instructor, told the Elko County School District Board of Trustees that a recent governor-designated STEM designation brought grant funding that has expanded hands-on learning across grade levels.

The designation has funded about 15 classroom hydroponic systems and a commercial-sized hydroponic system used in Mr. Hunter’s agriculture class, he said. He added that his building-trades students are constructing two greenhouses on campus, which will be available for all K–12 teachers to incorporate into instruction.

The projects are tied to community partnerships, Hunter said, noting that landscaping companies have agreed to purchase plants and ornamentals the school grows. Jorge Avila, a student who has worked on the greenhouse construction, said the work has given him real-world construction experience: “we actually get to go outside and, you know, build it, like, a real construction site,” he told the board.

Prada Estrada, Jackpot’s special-education teacher and head teacher, described a separate use of STEM-related funding: a student-run school store the students voted to name the Wild Spot. Estrada said the store will provide workplace-learning opportunities for students who have limited local community employment options, and will use equipment such as a Cricut, heat presses and 3-D printers so students can design and sell products like spirit wear and small 3-D items. She said building-and-construction students and SkillsUSA participants will also be able to sell projects through the store.

Board members praised the hands-on learning and said projects like the greenhouse and Wild Spot help engage students. No board action was required on the presentations.

The board meeting record shows the STEM presentation was received during the agenda item described as “receipt of a presentation about STEM programs at Jackpot Combined Schools.”