Yorktown Elementary paraprofessionals Haley Knight and Francie Williams are bringing new ideas and hands-on learning opportunities back to campus after attending the annual STEM Summit hosted by the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation and Devon Energy in Oklahoma City.
Knight and Williams, both members of Yorktown ISD's Grow Your Own teacher program, joined educators from across the region for two days of professional development focused on engaging students through science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Knight serves as the campus's designated STEM instructor, while Williams will assist with planning and instruction as opportunities arise.
Throughout the summit, the pair explored a variety of hands-on activities designed for elementary classrooms, including electricity, circuits, engineering design, coding and drone technology.
'One of the key things I learned was how students can safely explore the fundamentals of electricity, circuits and engineering design through interactive projects,' Knight said. 'The knowledge and skills I gained from this training will help promote curiosity and deeper learning for the students at Yorktown Elementary.'
Williams said the training introduced her to new coding concepts and provided hands-on experience flying drones while emphasizing safe classroom implementation.
'The knowledge and skills gained from this training will directly benefit students at Yorktown by supporting the growth of our STEM program,' Williams said. 'Students will have opportunities to develop coding, problem-solving and critical thinking skills while being introduced to technologies they may not have experienced before.'
Elementary Principal Stephanie Zigmond said the conference reflects the commitment both educators have to providing the best possible learning experiences for students.
'I'm so proud of these educators and the dedication they show by continually going above and beyond for the students of Yorktown Elementary!' Zigmond said.
The STEM Summit is part of an ongoing partnership between the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation and Devon Energy that equips educators with innovative STEM resources and instructional strategies. By participating in the conference, Knight and Williams are helping expand Yorktown Elementary's STEM program while preparing students with the skills needed for an increasingly technology- driven future.
