Pictured left is Meghan Hamilton from the WCSD Foundation Board of Directors, presenting the $10,000 STEM grant check to Rebecca Clarahan, Principal at St. James Elementary School.

St. James Elementary School students in Washington will be getting new hands-on learning experiences and an early understanding of subjects to come in later years, thanks to a recent grant.

The Washington Community School District Foundation awarded $10,000 to St. James this month, as part of the Delmar Yoder Estate that was endowed to the foundation. The grant is being used to purchase three different Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) kits for each grade level from preschool to fifth. Yoder was passionate about STEM learning and his intentions were for the funds to support students of all ages in the Washington school district area. Foundation Board Member Meghan Hamilton says since 98% of St. James’ students transfer to the Washington district after grade five, they concluded that this project would align with Yoder’s goals. St. James Principal Rebecca Clarahan says she first applied for a meager $3,500, but was encouraged to “dream big” by the foundation, and as part of the new curriculum students will learn about robotics, crystals, hydro and wind power, structural engineering, physics, and pre-coding.

Clarahan says these STEM projects will be rolled out across the current school year, “I am incredibly excited, I mean I’m looking at them right now, some of these kits, and it was like Christmas yesterday when our first round came and I want to open them up and mess with them and see what they all do. I’m super excited, I can’t wait to present them to the students so they can see what they’re going to be able to do, and then I can’t wait to visit the classrooms and see that hands-on, meaningful engagement.”

Clarahan mentions that the school is also planning to host a science fair for the upper grades with a possible supper fundraiser. Additional STEM funding is still available for all schools within the Washington Community School District. Interested teachers are encouraged to speak with their school administrator to submit an application, and you can email wcsdfoundation@gmail.com.