#InstructionalMomentMonday aims to recognize great instructional moments in Ohio County Schools and provide feedback on how to keep the instruction going at home!
Mrs. Tripp’s 8th grade science class at Triadelphia Middle School recently teamed up with West Virginia Department of Education’s STEAM TAC for an awesome collaborative opportunity.
STEAM TAC IS possible across all 55 counties thanks to a grant from West Virginia University. According to the university, “West Virginia’s STEAM Technical Assistance Center is committed to helping educators and students fall in love with STEAM experiences so West Virginia’s next generation can hone essential skill sets that will prepare them for college and STEAM-based careers.”
STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. These careers are always in high demand, and exposure to these fields early on can help provide students with opportunities to garner interest in these professions.
Mrs. Tripp is the perfect candidate to bring STEAM TAC in. “She’s super energetic about science, and she’s just really good at it,” a student explains.
Tripp and Melissa Bane, the STEAM TAC teacher, worked with students on developing a hydraulic claw while incorporating biomimicry. Students worked together with a variety of materials to see if they could mimic a venus flytrap plant.
Does your child have an interest in STEAM? Do they enjoy collaborating? Our science teachers often incorporate labs to provide this opportunity, and the Wheeling community also has a variety of options for STEAM and collaboration. Checking out SMART Centre Market is a great way to expose learners to science-based pathways. There are also many camps available through West Virginia University. Closer to home, our thriving OCS Robotics programs are the perfect outlet for collaboration and experimentation.
Stay tuned for additional summer STEAM opportunities as we head into the summer season.
Thank you Mrs. Tripp for your commitment to students and our school system. Your love for science is contagious!
#OCSAchieves #TogetherWeAchieve