Iowa State Univers i ty Extension & Outreach

Har lan Community Schools

3 r d-6th G r a de Af t e r

S c hoo l Pr og r am

The Harlan Community School District will prepare

life long learners and productive citizens.

Technology is changing the world!

Bringing real-world experience to students

as they learn about technology through

hands-on projects and competitions in a

fun and engaging atmosphere.

STEM Program Objectives

1. Demonstrate more participation and interest in

STEM related fields as early as the elementary

grade levels.

2. Students will succeed in school and will be better

prepared for a productive adulthood.

3. Participants will engage with others in safe and

supportive communities that will increase school

attendance and reduce at-risk populations in the

grades served by the STEM program.

4. Students show improvement in how they apply the

knowledge they learn in the classroom to real

world problems.

3rd Grade STEM Clubs

> Camp in a Can: Taught by Jaurel Grote on Monday

Description: This club focuses on the environment in a fun way. It’s like students will be on

a camping trip, but learning about many of the animals, insects and other living things that

always seems to involve themselves in our camping trips. This club is a dream for the nature

lover of for anyone who just wants to know more about the great outdoors.

> Camp in a Can: Taught by Kelsey Schechinger on Tuesday

Description: This club focuses on the environment in a fun way. It’s like students will be on

a camping trip, but learning about many of the animals, insects and other living things that

always seems to involve themselves in our camping trips. This club is a dream for the nature

lover of for anyone who just wants to know more about the great outdoors.

> Robotics: Taught by Bonnie Cairney on Thursday

Description: This club is developed for the high-level thinkers. Students will engage in the

design and movements of electronic devices , as well as some basic programming. Students

may expect to work collaboratively to design tasks, develop programs, and test their

knowledge.

> Engineering is Elementary (EIE): Taught by Amber Knudsen on Wednesday

Description: the overall goal of EIE is to engage students in hands-on, real-world

engineering experiences that can bring to life math, science and other content areas. This

club will open the door to the field of engineering in a fun and exciting way. Log onto

www.eie.org if you’d like to learn more about this Club.

Units: Human Body, Landforms, Earth Materials, Water, Energy,

and Floating and Sinking

4th Grade STEM Clubs

> Food Science/Culinary Club: Taught by Michelle Burmeister/ Kandi Vande Berg on

Tuesday. 2 Clubs will be formed.

Objective: Students will deepen understanding of healthy living through nutrition and food prepa-

ration.

Description: Students will analyze and study different types of foods in order to identify the nutri-

tional values of these foods. Students will also have the opportunity to prepare these foods in an

“Iron Chef” type of format. This group will be supported by local chefs and nutritional experts in our

community.

> Robotics: Taught by Jonelle Conrad on Thursday

Description: This club is developed for the high-level thinkers. Students will engage in the design

and movements of electronic devices, as well as some basic programming. Students may expect to

work collaboratively to design tasks, develop programs and test knowledge.

> Engineering is Elementary (EIE): Taught by Stephanie Ahrenholtz on Wednesday

Description: The overall goal of EIE is to engage students in hands-on, real-world engineering

experiences that can bring to life math, science, and other content areas. This club will open the

door to the field of engineering in a fun and exciting way. Log onto www.eie.org if you’d like to

learn more about this club.

Units: Simple Machines, Balance and Forces, Air & Weather, Rocks, Astronomy

and Organisms

5th Grade STEM Clubs

> Robotics: Taught by Ryan Fincel on Monday

Description: This club is developed for the high-level thinkers. Students will engage in the design

and movements of electronic devices, as well as some basic programming. Students may expect to

work collaboratively to design tasks, develop programs, and test their knowledge

> Exercise Science: Taught by Becky Jones on Tuesday

Objective: Students will develop an understanding of how the human body functions through

various types of movements and activities.

Description: Students will essentially become personal trainers. This club will study the effects of

exercise on the respiratory system and muscular system. Students will utilize fitness tools like pe-

dometers, BMI calculators, body fat calculators, and different types of exercise equipment. This

club will work in collaboration with the Petersen Wellness Center and spend much of their time

being active.

> Grease Monkey: Taught by Jeff Moser on Thursday

Objective: Students will deepen their understanding of basic mechanics and engineering.

Description: This club is not for students who want to keep their hands clean. Students will have

the opportunity to work with a local race car manufacturer in order to build or rebuild a go cart.

Students will learn about how basic motors work and the science behind them. They will also de-

velop an understanding of basic tools and terminology that go with manufacturing.

> MYTHBUSTERS: Taught by S. Ahrenholtz, A. Knudsen and J. Conrad on Tuesday

Description: This club aims to uncover the truth behind popular myths and legends by mixing

scientific method with gleeful curiosity and plain old-fashioned ingenuity to create a signature style

of experimentation. Inspiring to inquire, interact and get involved with science. MYTHBUSTERS

uses a signature brand of explosive experimentation to prove or disprove popular myths, miscon-

ceptions or legends.

6th Grade STEM Clubs

> KidWind: Taught by Lorie Knudsen on Monday

Description: This club allows students to build connections between science, technology,

engineering, art, and math concepts and also, social and environmental issues relating to

renewable energy. Students in this club will use provided kits to build their own Wind Tur-

bines (like the ones along I-80), they will then use the turbines to create energy to run mo-

tors and other machines. This includes working with water energy, wind energy, solar ener-

gy etc… This is a very hands-on creativity based club.

> Crime Scene Investigation: Taught by Gina Schmitz on Monday

Description: The members of this club will actually become a Crime Scene Investigator.

They will learn the science behind the evidence and intricate skills needed to provide evi-

dence to solve a crime. Students will study aspects of DNA, fingerprints, foot and tire molds,

and the meticulous recording of information.

> Iron Chef Competition: Taught by Joan Musich on Wednesday

> Iron Chef Competition: Taught by Kara Schaben on Thursday

Description: Iron Chef Club is all about developing kitchen skills to last a lifetime! This club

is an introduction to food and nutrition (stressing healthy food choices of course!) , safety

and sanitation and food preparation skills. Students will be challenged with math skills

(weight and volume), along with reading and understanding directions of recipes. Many

opportunities for experimentation will be offered that encourage students to experience

different flavor and texture combinations and put their own spin on recipes. Basic chemistry

and biology of food reactions will be introduced, such as what makes bread rise or why we

choose different temperatures for different foods or methods of cooking. Labs will comprise

of a variety of techniques in preparing foods represented on the MyPlate including fruits,

vegetables, grains, dairy and protein.

Sign up Online at:

http://bit.ly/1516HCESSTEM

Deadline for Registering is

Friday October 9th

$25 Fee should be delivered no lat-

er than October 9th to the Interme-

diate School Office or mailed to the

Intermediate School at :

1401 19th St Harlan, IA 51537

Checks payable to HCS

Classes run weekly:

October 12 - April 7

3:45 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.

**Snack and Drink Provided**

2015-2016

STEM Registration