AFCEA International’s Gravely and Paige Teaching Grants Boost STEM Education
What do you get when you combine carnival games, critical thinking skills and an evening at school? A successful math carnival night with engaged students and families!
Amanda Blevins, math resource teacher at Mosaic Elementary School, used funding from the AFCEA Gravely Grant for STEM teachers to create a math night aimed at engaging families and students in STEM thinking at school and at home. Students in third through sixth grade were invited to spend the evening at school alongside their parents and teachers where they “participated in math carnival games while enjoying the night with their families and showing off their math skills,” Blevins said.
Mosaic Elementary School in Fairfax County serves a diverse population of over 900 students. With such a large school, the teachers are constantly thinking of ways to engage their students and their families.
“AFCEA generously awarded a grant to Mosaic Elementary School to fund the purchase of STEAM games for our STEAM room. Students loved the challenge of solving games, sharpening their problem-solving skills and working together with their friends or families to complete the task,” she said.
To help the students prepare for their math-filled evening, teachers provided assignments and activities focused on certain problem-solving and creative thinking skills prior to their math night.
“At Mosaic ES [Elementary School] and in FCPS [Fairfax County Public Schools], we focus on ‘Portrait of a Graduate’ skills, which include communicating, collaborating, creative and critical thinking, and goal-directed and resilient individuals,” Blevins said. “These STEAM games helped our students refine these skills and take ownership of their successes.”
It’s important for students to feel successful, and it is evident that the teachers at Mosaic Elementary helped make their students feel confident by supporting their math skills.
Not only did the AFCEA Gravely Grant for STEM teachers help fund the supplies needed for this math carnival night, but students were also provided with “take-home kits, which included different manipulatives and information/tips on how to incorporate and practice more math at home for families,” she said.
The kits were a great addition to the project to help reinforce the skills learned at school. The AFCEA Educational Foundation is proud to have supported Blevins’ successful math night at Mosaic Elementary School.
Do you know of any teachers who need help funding a similar project for this coming school year? For more details about our STEM Teaching Grants, email us at edfoundation@afcea.org.
