Published November 1, 2021
Additional STEM Box article:
FLEMINGTON, NJ – Dr. Kari McGann was
hopeful that Pitsco Education’s STEM Creator
Packs would informally ease students back
into their education grooves this past summer.
But she didn’t expect the significant boost of
interest and engagement that transpired.
“Creating excitement in STEM builds
support for college and career opportunities
in our students,” said McGann, superintendent
of schools for Flemington-Raritan Regional
School District in New Jersey. “Our educators
have seen a great interest in STEM as a result
of the Pitsco STEM kits.”
A survey of 55 students who used the
take-home STEM Creator Packs as part of a
summer middle school Project STEM Club
showed that prior to the start of the program
only 11 percent were “extremely excited.” At
the camp’s conclusion, it was another story –
53 percent were “extremely excited.”
“The students were so excited to be
back in person together,” said Math
Supervisor Kristen Wolff. “It was
helpful that the materials
were prepackaged so we
could be mindful of
students having
their own
individual
workspaces.
Each
student
worked
individually but
was able to share
and discuss ideas with
their peers. The teachers were
phenomenal at taking the individual builds
and extending the learning that was involved.”
Pitsco’s STEM Creator Packs, designed for
middle schoolers, include hands-on materials
and curriculum for five project builds (catapults,
balloon cars, truss bridges, inventions, and
friction climbers) involving 15 challenges and
activities. The packs are designed for use in any
environment – classroom, camp, club, at home,
and blended/hybrid.
A parent of one camp participant took
the time to email program leaders. “We just
wanted to say thank you for a great six days
of STEM Club. Charlie arrived the first day
hesitant about what he would be doing and
came out saying, ‘When do I get to go again?’”
The summer camp was purchased through
the Elementary and Secondary School
Emergency (ESSER) fund portion of the CARES
Act. In addition, members of the HSMC
(Hunterdon, Somerset, and Mercer Counties)
STEM Ecosystem, of which McGann is a leader,
worked together to build interest in students.
“A challenge in today’s education system
is the inability of the United States education
system to produce enough STEM-capable
students,” McGann said. “A problem of
practice residing within New Jersey school
districts is the lack of support for programs
that lead to a positive STEM identity,
particularly in female students and students
of color, and little to no connection between
education and the real world.”
Those barriers are gradually being eliminated
as opportunities to experience hands-on STEM
activities at all grade levels increase.
“Students in our K-8 schools aren’t ready
to enter the workforce yet, but building their
excitement and interest in STEM will assist
them with a positive STEM identity and
hopefully keeps their interest for high school
and beyond,” McGann said.
McGann hopes that middle school girls in
particular become more engaged in STEM. In
New Jersey, females are underrepresented in
STEM fields, holding only 27 percent of STEM
jobs in the state (NJ Department of Labor
and Workforce Development, Occupational
Employment Statistics). “For our females,
creating interest and excitement is very
important,” said the superintendent, who has
long carried the STEM torch for all students.
“Three years ago, one of my goals was to
increase the actions we were taking to positively
affect STEM identity,” McGann said. “Pitsco is
helping us to accomplish this goal."