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Full STEAM ahead Jackson Scala, 9, works on an art project in Phoenix Elementary School's new STEAM classroom that incorporates science, technology, engineering, art and math. Mail Tribune / Denise Baratta Monday Oct 3, 2016 at 2:00 AM Oct 3, 2016 at 10:56 AM Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Phoenix Elementary fifth-grader Julie Johnson couldn’t get the robot she built to respond immediately Thursday as she pushed buttons on a controller. “They are not finished yet. Sometimes you have to make a few adjustments,” said Julie. With a few more tweaks she had the foot-long, six-inch-tall, wheeled machine moving back and forth. Johnson is one of 52 kindergarten through fifth-graders in a new school-within-a-school with a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) approach to learning. Teachers Dan Preskenis and Joani Howell both had used a lot of science projects over the years while teaching kids the basics. When Phoenix-Talent School District Superintendent Teresa Sayre said last year she’d like to see the school develop a STEAM program, they jumped at the chance. Project-oriented learning is a focus of the school. Collaboration and teamwork are a big part of the approach as students work together in all the areas. “I teach the kids how to think and how to ask questions. I teach them to read and how to solve math problems,” said Preskenis. “I’ll ask them, ‘Does that really make sense?’ ” Preskenis also avoids answering students’ questions. “I’ll say, 'That’s a really great question,' without supplying an answer,” said Preskenis. “Then they say, ‘Oh! We need to solve this one ourselves.’ ” Students like the project-oriented approach. “We can do what we want to do,” said Julie. “I like that we can move around,” said fifth-grader Kira Robinson, as she worked with Julie and others on a project that will result in a camera produced from components and instructions in a kit that can yield 10 items, including an electronic fly swatter. Fifth-grader Jayden Vos was checking to be sure components lit up when installed on a testing board. “This is just making sure that everything works,” said Jayden. “Next we’ll go on to the camera.” Howell has 24 kindergarten, first- and second-grade students in her class. Preskenis has 28 third- through fifth-graders. They are in separate classrooms, with a door between the two. There’s also a third classroom just across a passageway that is a "maker space." The school's computer lab is adjacent to the maker space. Preskenis’ students all have Chromebooks, while all the kids in Howell’s class have iPads. The district supplied a 3-D printer. Small grants have helped equip the lab. Each teacher has an aide, a valuable asset that allows one-on-one time with students, said Howell. The district funded summer research, planning and preparation by the pair. There weren’t any conferences available, and STEAM schools weren’t in session. “It’s a worldwide movement,” said Howell. “It’s pretty awesome what’s online.” Every morning the two groups meet in one room to sing songs together and share their experiences. “We have worked really hard to create a community that is kind to each other and cares for each other,” said Preskenis. Older students pair with young students frequently. On Thursday, students paired up to do watercolors on coffee filters. Kindergartener Jonny Hedley and fourth-grader Gage Prince worked together. “I never did this before,” said Jonny. “I like working with him.” “They kind of have some favorite buddies. They have come to enjoy spending time with them,” said Howell. “We really work on building the positive relationships and getting that mindset.” — Tony Boom is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected].