Lovell Elementary incorporates new STEAM program

For the upcoming school year, Lovell Elementary School is excited to integrate a STEAM program into the students’ weekly schedules.

“In the past, our students had a half hour of art each week,” principal Christopher Jensen said. “We’ve had some amazing individuals fill that position that did a great job, and we were looking to expand that time.”

Instead of the half hour, students will now receive an hour of instruction based on science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM).

“It’s a project-based time that will have some certain standards we aim to hit,” Jensen said. “A lot of those standards will be focused on science standards, and the nice thing about that is that pulls from a myriad of other things.”

Jensen made it clear that the school isn’t getting rid of the art class but is amplifying the time for students to be creative, which will definitely include art.

When the vision became a reality, the district was hoping for an ideal candidate to apply for the specialized teaching position.

“We were looking for the right person for the job, and it just so happened we had the perfect person in our community who’s had a focus of this in some of her training and is at the heart of what she loves,” Jensen said.

Allison Kitchen was hired to spearhead the program and feels more than ready to tackle the job. She taught in Colorado for eight years in second and third grade classes at a charter school before going from general education to now a specialist teacher.

“I am really excited to not only create a classroom culture with a single class but to have experiences with each kid in the school each week,” she said. “I have a great specials team that will be a wealth of resources to me.”

Kitchen has been a substitute teacher in the elementary for two years and has developed a good relationship with the students and faculty in the building and has been welcomed into the position with open arms.

“I am very passionate about science, art and about the kids being able to think outside of the box to solve a problem with guidance from me and one another,” she added. “I think there is a lot of ways for kids to use this STEAM time to grow their brains in ways that they don’t get to do a lot of times. My role is to support what they are learning in their classrooms in a creative way.”

She explained that, while students will do some individual projects, there will be a lot of collaboration and fact finding in groups that will produce projects to be enjoyed by the whole school.

OPTIMIZING STUDENTS TIME

Jensen previously met with a leadership team at the elementary school, and the group identified issues and collaborated to ultimately lead to this path.

One issue was the low incoming numbers of kindergarteners this year and the retirement of longtime teacher in the grade level, Joni Geiser.

“We don’t want to lose a certified staff position, and instead of needing four teachers in kindergarten, we only need three and have the extra certified teacher spot,” he explained. “So, we discussed a plan to utilize that teacher for the best use possible.”

The team looked at various options, and one factor weighing into the decision was the science testing scores over the last several years. 

“We wanted to find a way to help bolster students understanding of science concepts and vocabulary and make it more meaningful to them,” Jensen said.

Looking at the half hour designated for art and the full hour that kids were spending in the computer lab also played a role in the discussion.

“Kids are on technology a lot, and we didn’t feel that was the best bang for our buck,” he explained. “Doing this allows time to amplify art and incorporate a greater diversity of things that students can do to creatively express themselves and cut down the amount of time they’re in front of a screen.”

The STEAM program was the solution to the identified areas in need of additional focus or adjustments and is something Jensen hopes will continue and grow in the elementary school for many years to come.

“I’m always going to be a champion to keep this going,” he said. “I see the benefit of it, and I want to keep it so that it can build into a good program. You may not see the results in one year, but over the course of a few years, I believe you’ll see some pretty substantial results.”

Kitchen added that, throughout the country, STEAM programs have really been gaining momentum and proving to work well.

“There are many great resources here in house and all over,” she said. “There is a literal ocean of resources, support and evidence out there for me and our students to build off of, and that gives me a lot of confidence walking into this awesome, new position.”