The ϳԹat Highlands Elementary School, a Title 1 school in Huntsville, Alabama, wanted to encourage their students to explore STEM activities. Using their grant from National ϳԹand Huntington Ingalls Industries, the ϳԹlaunched a National ϳԹSTEM + Families Propelling our World program. Every Tuesday for a month, students and parents were invited join a design challenge, where they completed an activity from the provided Propelling our World activity guide. During each session, participants watched the design process videos that came with the program guide. They then worked to design, build and test models to solve the week’s challenge. At the end of each challenge, a school administrator examined the models and awarded prizes. The ϳԹserved pizza during the event. The weekly events not only taught students the engineering design process, they also brought students and families together for a fun night of problem solving – and pizza! #HowWePTA
McWillie Elementary School PTA
Jackson, Miss.
The ϳԹat McWillie Elementary School in Jackson, Miss., wanted to bring the school community together for a fun in-person event. After hearing parents and teachers express interest in more STEM activities, they decided to use their grant from National ϳԹand Huntington Ingalls Industries to host a STEM + Families Engineering Night. Using the program guide, they transformed their school into a STEM game, where families were challenged with different engineering activities as they moved through various stations. The students made parachutes and built bridges, all while learning about the Engineering Design Process and having fun with friends and families. The ϳԹalso used this opportunity to promote different career opportunities in STEM fields to help inspire students about future possibilities in STEM. The kids were so excited about the activities, that they stayed beyond the scheduled program end time. It was a great event for everyone! #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“STEM jobs are recession-free and generally have great pay attached. The impact from programs like this are long-lasting and far-reaching!”
Big Ridge Elementary School PTA
Hixon, Tenn.
When schools reopened after remote learning, the ϳԹat Hixson Elementary in Tennessee wanted to bring students and families together to reconnect. Using their grant from National PTA, they hosted STEM+ Families night. They followed the supplied program guide and recruited high school students as volunteers. STEM activity stations were set up throughout the school, and the ϳԹprovided dinner to all the attendees to encourage more parents to join the fun. In addition to the STEM games, the event was attended by other community partners who shared information about how STEM can be used in community activities and careers. The turn-out was great, and the kids were so excited to be together with friends playing fun games. The event successfully engaged the community and brought everyone back together in the school. #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“The program provided not only an educational experience for the students, but time for family engagement and networking within the community.”
Wilkins El Steam Academy
Pittsburgh, Pa.
As Title 1 school in a high poverty area of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Wilkins El Steam Academy ϳԹis used to pinching pennies to host events for students and their families. With their grant from National ϳԹand Bayer Fund, they decided to host PTA’s STEM + Families Science Festival. Using the supplied program guide, they transformed their classrooms into 10 science stations where teachers facilitated different science experiments. From making lava lamps to sticking skewers through inflated balloons, the students loved the hands-on learning activities. The ϳԹalso offered science-themed refreshments in the cafeteria to the delight of their students and families. The hallways were decorated with student science projects, which allowed families to experience what STEM looks like in practice and how fun it can be. Overall, the festival drew 225 students, families, and teachers. As the first ϳԹactivity held after returning from remote learning, the kids jumped right in, working in groups and connecting with classmates. The event showcased everything the ϳԹcan do for school communities and has helped grow the school’s ϳԹmembership. #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“The STEM Festival was a great way for us to highlight projects the students have been working on and for families to experience what STEM looks like in practice and how fun it can be.”
Ardenwood Elementary PTA
Freemont, Calif.
After months of remote learning, the ϳԹat Ardenwood Elementary School in Fremont, Calif., surveyed the parents and caregivers in their school community about what activities and programs they wanted the ϳԹto support as students returned to in-person learning. Many parents said they wanted more STEM experiences for students. After not having in-person events in over a year, the ϳԹdecided to use their grant from National ϳԹand Mathnasium to host a STEM+ Families Math Night. They followed the supplied program guide and recruited high school students – many of whom attended the school when they were younger – as volunteers. Math game stations were created throughout the school, and the ϳԹprovided dinner to all the attendees to encourage working parents to join the fun. The event was free for the entire school community. Mathnasium was in attendance and raffled off free tutoring sessions. The turn-out was great, and the kids were so excited to be together with friends playing fun math games. Parents and grandparents enjoyed the event as well, and many participated in the games with their child. The event successfully engaged the community and brought everyone back together in the school. #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“We saw a lot of families where both parents attended, many along with grandparents. It was really great to see the entire family involved in the games, not just watching their children play.”
Old River Elementary School PTA
Downey, Calif.
The students at Old River School, a small but mighty elementary school for fourth and fifth graders in Downey, California, were eager to connect with their classmates and teachers while they learned remotely when their schools were closed. The ϳԹjumped into action to make that happen! Using their grant from National ϳԹand Huntington Ingalls Industries, they hosted a virtual National ϳԹSTEM + Families Propelling Our World Engineering Night. Using the provided program guide, their volunteers – including school staff – got their students excited about STEM. Through engaging videos, students used the Engineering Design Process to problem-solve different engineering activities. The students were active and engaged during the entire virtual program, with parents watched in the background as students created designs including a parachute. The program was filled with cheers and encouragement from students as they supported each other throughout the event. The school staff were so impressed and appreciated the partnership. Hosting the STEM night really showcased everything the ϳԹcan do for the Old River school community. It was a successful team effort that got students thinking about future careers in STEM! #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“The kids didn’t want to say good night when the event ended. Parents were laughing and students were eagerly showing off their parachute designs. This was an awesome team effort!”
Homeville Elementary School PTA
West Mifflin, Pa.
The teachers at Homeville Elementary School in West Mifflin, Pa., wanted to build a STEAM lab in the school. While they had great ideas and resources, they were having trouble getting it off the ground. That’s when the ϳԹjumped in! Using their grant from National ϳԹand Bayer Fund, they decided to host PTA’s STEM + Families Science Festival and use the opportunity to unveil their new STEAM lab. They also used their grant funding to promote the event, which created a positive buzz throughout the school community as plans came together for a night full of STEM learning. Using the supplied program guide, the festival included hands-on learning activities at different stations set up throughout the school. One parent at the ice cream station exclaimed “I can’t believe that actually worked!” As students and parents moved through different STEM stations, they were invited to tour the new STEAM lab. Every student, no matter the grade or academic level, shared their excitement about the lab, where they will create, problem solve and find success in STEM! The teachers noted that the looks of wonder and awe on the faces of students and parents really made the journey to open the lab worth it. They are thankful for the ϳԹand Bayer Fund for supporting developing a love of STEM in the students at Homeville Elementary. #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“Our science festival and new STEAM Lab kicked off our school-wide STEM programming. After the science festival, and for the first time, students in grades kindergarten through third grade began participating in STEM-curriculum during their academic school day.”
Morning Creek Elementary PTA
San Diego, Calif.
The ϳԹat Morning Creek Elementary School in San Diego, Calif., was reinvigorated when the school welcomed students back after the long closure due to COVID. They increased recruitment efforts, and for the first time had active room parent volunteers in nearly every classroom. With all the excitement to be back in school, they jumped at the opportunity to hold their first in-person event in two years. Using their grant from National ϳԹand Huntington Ingalls Industries, the ϳԹhosted a National ϳԹStem + Families Propelling Our World Engineering Night. Students, parents, grandparents, and siblings came out for a fun night of STEM. Using the program guide, they set up stations with different engineering activities. The students designed rafts and built bridges, all while learning about the Engineering Design Process and having fun with friends and families. All of the students were given lab coats and goggles, just like real scientists! A parent also bought in their telescope for kids to peek at the stars. In all, 300 people attended the event, which was filled with excitement, laughter, and a new love of STEM. #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“We believe this program sparked interest in science among students who formerly had no interest and showed that science can be fun.”
Bells Ferry Elementary School PTA
Marietta, Ga.
Prior to the pandemic, the Bells Ferry Elementary School ϳԹin Marietta, Ga., hosted several popular social events at the school each year, which stopped when schools closed and students moved to remote learning. When schools reopened, they wanted to bring the community together again, but wanted to focus on supporting students academically after their remote learning experience. They also have a diverse population that speaks a wide variety of languages, so they wanted to ensure that any program they hosted was inclusive. They settled on a program that incorporated the universal language – math! Using their grant from National ϳԹand Mathnasium, they hosted a STEM+ Families Math Night. They followed the supplied program guide and recruited high school students as volunteers, expanding the community involvement. They set-up an estimation station when students first walked into the building to pique their interest, then guided them through stations throughout the school where they could play math games. The event successfully engaged the community and brought everyone back together in the school. #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“After 2 years of disrupted learning, our students needed support in lots of different ways. This program helped make math less scary and provided reinforcement of math skills in a super fun way.”
Twin Echo Elementary PTA
Collinsville, Ill.
The Twin Echo elementary school ϳԹin Collinsville, Ill., is always on the look-out for low- or no-cost ways to engage their school community, where 100% of the students qualify for the free or reduced lunch program. They knew from surveys that parents were interested in getting involved with ϳԹand wanted to have more activities, but cost was a barrier. So, when the school district lifted restrictions on in-person activities, they used their grant from National ϳԹand Bayer to host PTA’s STEM + Families Science Festival. Using the supplied program guide, they transformed their classrooms into science stations where teachers facilitated different science experiments. From making lava lamps to sticking skewers through inflated balloons, the students loved the hands-on learning activities. This was the first ϳԹactivity held after returning from remote learning, and the kids jumped right in, working in groups and connecting with classmates. The ϳԹwanted to extend the learning – and the fun! – while engaging students at home, so they gave every student a take-home science kit full additional science experiments. #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“For the past two years we have not been able to share supplies, work in groups, or do any hands-on group activities. It was terrific to see students in partners or groups working together and discussing the experiments.”
Panther Run Elementary PTA
Pembroke Pines, Fla.
The teachers at Panther Run Elementary School in Pembroke Pines, Fla., were looking for ways to spark an interest in STEM—so their ϳԹjumped into action! Using their grant from National ϳԹand Huntington Ingalls Industries, the ϳԹhosted a National ϳԹSTEM + Families Engineering Night. Using the program guide, they transformed their school into a STEM game, where families were challenged with different engineering tasks as they moved through various stations. The students made parachutes and built bridges, all while learning about the Engineering Design Process and having fun with friends and families. The ϳԹpromoted the event in both English and Spanish to reach all the families in their largely bilingual community, and it paid off—the attendance was higher than any event they ever had! #HowWePTA
In their own words:
“Panther Run is about family and for families, and it is important to us to involve parents and siblings in every way we can in order to not only invest in the student but invest in their family and future as well.”