Building STEAM 4 All Success Continues

Building STEAM 4 All Success Continues

Saturday, May 8th, 2021

Since 2008 with just nine projects, Building STEAM 4 All has continued to provide support and focus on the integration of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math into Beaverton schools. During the COVID-era, the work through over 700 BEF-funded projects, helped position the current generation of students and educators to meet the demands of virtual and hybrid school. 

“In the course of investigating STEAM topics, students continually need to define, evaluate, and respond to problems they encounter along the way,” said Kinnaman Elementary teacher, Michael Reed. “Once you have encountered a problem, designed a solution, and then brought it into reality, you gain a feeling that anything is possible.”

Additionally, vital hands-on Building STEAM 4 All project requests continued to receive funding to support Beaverton’s educators and respond to student need, during Comprehensive Distance Learning and Hybrid instruction.

Whitford Middle School students can now design, develop, and create their own products for purchase in their student store using a vinyl cutter, 3D printers, and CNC router thanks to BEF support. These tools not only encourage creativity, they also align with middle school technology targets, high school CTE programs, and create valuable career training opportunities for middle schoolers.

In the fall, following a lesson on the history and mathematics of geometric art, Sunset High School students attended a virtual field trip at New York’s MoMath Museum. Thanks to BEF funding, students explored geometric artist Anton Bakker exhibit called “Alternative Perspective” and connected their learning to a real life experience, all without leaving their home.

As we reflect on STEM Week Oregon (May 8 -16) let’s celebrate the transformational impact STEAM education is making in our schools. Visit Beaverton’s Choice to learn more about the latest STEAM-focused projects.