According to employment researchers, 80 percent of jobs our students will obtain in the future do not exist today. The world is constantly changing and the Sulphur Springs School District is proud to be offering programs that will prepare students for whatever the 21st century has in store for them.
One program is our After School Coding Club where fifth graders are creating a digital animation or video game using the computer programming language of Scratch. The problem solving and critical thinking skills that learning to code provides is not only allowing these students to create their own video games, but also empowers them with skills and strategies that are applicable in all subject areas. In addition the District also offers a primary Coding Club where first graders are utilizing small robots to input simple codes to move them on a grid. This allows some of our youngest students to begin learning the basic principles of computer programming.
Another program the Sulphur Springs School District has implemented is our S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math) Initiative. This initiative’s aim is to integrate science, technology, engineering, arts and math as a project based learning experience for all sixth graders. Students have created model cities to direct runoff and filter pollution, constructed and tested various insulation materials in a test home to deflect or absorb solar energy, and are currently working on their own digital documentaries on the inner workings of a human cell. These projects challenge our students to think critically about a problem, hypothesis solutions, construct a model, test their hypothesis, and then refine their solution.
The J.E.T. (Junior Engineering and Technology) Program at Mint Canyon Community School focuses on science, technology, engineering, art, and math, but does so at the K-2nd grade level. Students in this program come to the J.E.T. lab and focus on projects such as engineering a bridge across a ravine, testing force and motion with hot wheels cars and tracks, and creating visual representations of sound waves. These learning experiences are igniting a passion for inquiry and exploration in our ‘junior engineers’ at Mint Canyon.
All of these programs are examples of the Sulphur Springs School District’s dedication and commitment to preparing our students for the world of tomorrow. We will be holding the first SSSD STEAM Expo that will showcase these wonderful programs on April 21, at 6:30 p.m. at Mitchell Community School. Come check out these wonderful programs that are empowering our students to be the leaders of tomorrow!