The WACO School district is receiving STEM monies to add a new dimension to learning projects in the classroom. A Storytime STEM program for students in preschool through second grade will use the grants to connect children’s literature with STEM and computer science by presenting those in the class with a problem or phenomenon and having them use science, technology, engineering or math to explain the issue and solve it.  

For students in grades four through eight, they will participate in a Ready, Set, Drone! program which gives step-by-step lessons to learn about drones and explore UAV technology with aerial photos and videos. Those in the class will use drone physics, collaborate in flight teams and complete different engineering challenges. Amy Langr, WACO Schools librarian and Talented and Gifted Teacher, applied for the funding. She will attend courses this summer and implement the new activities for the district in the fall of 2022.

The grants were made available through the STEM-Scale Up Program under the jurisdiction of the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council.