Learning Today Will Make Leaders Tomorrow

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Learners become leaders! Recently, I went to Mark Twain Elementary School with a group of JATC ladies where we began our new STEM project. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics and addresses education policy and curriculum choices in schools to improve competitiveness in science and technology development.

We provided frames for the kids to decorate, took photos and printed them, and distributed information about digital photography to the older students. It’s a small start but it’s a way to encourage kids to learn while also having fun.

STEM supports broadening the study of engineering within each of the other subjects, and beginning engineering at younger grades, even elementary school. I am proud, as a member of JA, to have been involved in helping Bradleyville schools get a STEM grant. And now we are not only helping Mark Twain with resources for a STEM program in their school but encouraging them with programs as well.

That’s our goal and STEM projects will help. It has implications for workforce development and national security concerns.

As a former mathematics teacher, I love to see more students have the opportunity to succeed in science and technology. I know we reached one young man on our trip to Mark Twain. He was fascinated as he watched the photos being printed and told me he loves technology. He was the first in line to receive the information we were distributing. His enthusiasm reminded me of a former student who I just learned has become a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force.

I wonder how many of the kids we saw that day will become scientists, engineers, pilots, teachers, etc. These learners will someday become our leaders!