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Elementary WazEd STEM pilot draws student demo and teacher praise
Summary
Teachers reported positive engagement from WazEd STEM kits for 2nd and 5th graders, including AR/VR exposure and robot building; a student demonstration showed inclusive, hands‑on learning and early computational thinking outcomes.
Shannon Locking, identified in the presentation as the elementary and primary computer teacher, described the district’s initial year using WazEd STEM kits in grades 2 and 5 and noted alignment with ISTE, Next Generation Science and New York State computer science standards. "WazEd… is a hands on STEM curriculum for elementary learners," she said, describing activities from AR coloring pages to step‑by‑step robot assembly.
Locking and staff highlighted classroom outcomes: 2nd graders explored augmented and virtual reality apps to make drawings 'come to life,' while 5th graders assembled and programmed more advanced robots, practiced troubleshooting, and rotated through STEM stations. Locking said the kits support diverse learners and foster collaboration; she added that WazEd visited classrooms and regional representatives observed lessons.
A student demonstration underscored the teacher’s point: students worked in small groups to assemble robots, debug issues, and drive robots through taped mazes, prompting board members to praise the hands‑on learning and consider expanding connections between younger and older students. The district will continue assessing the program as it seeks to scale STEM offerings.
