Patricia O’Drudy – Our Lady of Mount Carmel School
We would like to implement a continuance of learning, building on the life skills and safety that this activity has offered by using the STEM funds to similarly explore electricity. With the younger K-2 classes we would use funds to develop STEM lessons of basic circuitry by purchasing age-appropriate learning tools (like Squishy Circuits) to build a knowledge base of basic conductivity with a focus on safety. For the older children, we would like to purchase creative conductivity and electricity sets (for example Snap Circuits) to illustrate basic current and its function in a hands-on way. These tools will also be used to adapt to and discuss alternative sources of energy, which have safety issues unique to each. We would also like to include the exploration of a citizenship aspect, where STEM activities produce a deeper understanding of responsible choices for the individual, in the economic, environmental, and civic realms.