STEM Lab’s 2024 Journey In Review

As we look back on 2024, it’s clear that this year has been one of significant growth and meaningful connections. From school visits to community events and summer camps, the Ivy Tech Mobile STEM Lab has made a positive impact in Madison and Hancock Counties. Let’s take a closer look at our activities, achievements, and the feedback we’ve received from educators and students alike.

School Visits: Reaching New Heights

Throughout 2024, we had the opportunity to visit 16 different schools, including both first-time visits and return visits. We kicked off the year by focusing on Hancock County, where we visited seven schools for the first time, from January to April. These schools included Mt. Vernon Middle School, Eastern Hancock Elementary, Eastern Hancock Middle School, New Pal Junior High School, New Pal Intermediate School, Brandywine Elementary, and New Pal Elementary.

In just four months, we reached an impressive 3,175 students, sparking curiosity and excitement about STEM in classrooms throughout the region.

Community Engagement: Beyond the Classroom

In addition to school visits, we participated in several impactful community events and summer camps. Here’s a snapshot of our involvement:

• Minority Health Coalition Youth Day (April)
• Vernon Township Library STEAM Club (May)
• Anderson Community Schools Summer Academy (June)
• Two summer camps hosted by the Anderson Parks Department

These events allowed us to expand our reach and engage students in a variety of exciting, hands-on STEM activities. Whether it was building prototypes or exploring new technologies, the Mobile STEM Lab helped foster an environment of learning and discovery all summer long.

Fall Visits: Reconnecting with Students

As the school year resumed in the fall, we returned to several schools for follow-up visits. In total, we made second visits to all the Anderson Community Schools and South Madison Community Schools elementaries. The schools we visited included:

• Anderson Elementary
• Tenth Street Elementary
• Edgewood Elementary
• Valley Grove Elementary
• Erskine Elementary
• Eastside (E2) Elementary
• Pendleton Elementary
• Maple Ridge Elementary
• East Elementary

From August to December 2024, we reached an additional 4,640 students, from Kindergarten to 6th grade, bringing our year-long total to 7,815 students! The energy and enthusiasm were palpable as we introduced students to the wonders of STEM.

Educator Feedback: What Do Educators Have to Say?

The feedback we received from educators throughout the year continues to inspire us and reinforce the value of the Mobile STEM Lab experience. Here are some of the glowing testimonials we’ve received:

• Mt. Vernon Middle School Principal:
  “As admin, I appreciated the energy and excitement of your team. Your teachers took time to get to know several of our students and were very enthusiastic about teaching your lessons. I asked teachers and students about how it was going on a daily basis and always received positive responses. Everyone really enjoyed it and we hope to host again next year.”
• Lisa Pluckebaum, MVMS PTLW Robotics Educator:
  “Our students were engaged and so excited once word spread as the weeks progressed. ‘When are WE going to the Ivy Tech Truck?’ became the number one question. The facilitators did an excellent job and were so patient, flexible and helpful.”
• Keithea Hollars, Eastern Hancock Elementary Media Instructor:
  “The STEM Lab is a great program to engage young minds. The staff are fantastic at encouraging and helping students experiment with their own ideas, as well as the planned activities. I am looking forward to return visits each year.”
• Tenth Street Elementary Teacher:
  “My students came back to the room talking all day about the bananas they got to play with! They could not believe what they were able to do with them! We hope to see the STEM lab back soon!”
• Jennifer Knight, Tenth Street Elementary:
  “It was fabulous! They kept students engaged and got them excited about STEM. Thanks for coming to our school. We hope to see you back next year.”
• Pendleton Elementary Teacher:
  “The Mobile STEM Lab is a great program. It provides a hands-on experience for grades K-6 that is age-appropriate. Our students look forward to this opportunity and experience. Several of the students talked about what they had learned and went home and talked to their parents too.”
• Brenda Thacker, 6th Grade STEM Lead Teacher, Anderson Intermediate School:
  “We are so thankful for having the Ivy Tech Mobile STEM Lab visit Anderson Intermediate School! Becky and Riley did a wonderful job working with all of our students and allowing them to experience flying drones. The students loved learning about interesting facts and the different career opportunities using drones. We also enjoyed getting certified for the Recreational UAS Safety Test! We look forward to collaborating with Ivy Tech again in the future!”

Session Offerings for 2024

In 2024, the Mobile STEM Lab continued to provide students in Madison and Hancock Counties with engaging and impactful STEM experiences. Designed to spark curiosity and inspire the next generation of innovators, our lessons featured hands-on activities that brought a variety of STEM topics to life.

The Mobile STEM Lab’s lessons were carefully crafted to be both age-appropriate and aligned with educational standards, ensuring that each session met the needs of students while promoting active learning. We focused on creating memorable, interactive experiences, encouraging students to explore key concepts through experimentation, problem-solving, and collaboration.

Hands-On Learning: Making STEM Come to Life

At the heart of each lesson was the emphasis on hands-on activities, which allowed students to dive into the concepts they were learning in a practical way. Working in small groups, students had the opportunity to demonstrate their individual skills and contribute to team efforts, reinforcing both critical thinking and communication. These engaging activities were designed to leave lasting impressions, with students often talking about their experiences long after the sessions ended.

Exciting STEM Topics Explored in 2024

The lessons covered a wide range of STEM topics that were both relevant and fascinating. Some of the topics explored in the Mobile STEM Lab throughout 2024 included:

• Robotics: Students built and programmed robots, learning about mechanics, sensors, and programming.
• 3D Printing Demos: Students explored the world of design and manufacturing, creating their own 3D printed objects.
• Magnetism: Students experimented with magnets to understand the forces that influence how objects interact.
• Electronics: Students worked with circuits and components to learn the basics of electronics and how devices are powered.
• Drones: Students flew drones, learning about aviation principles, navigation, and real-world drone applications.
• Laws of Motion: Hands-on activities demonstrated the physical laws that govern motion, helping students grasp basic physics concepts.
• Energy Transfer & Conservation: Students explored energy concepts and learned about the importance of sustainability and conservation.
• Coding: Students gained exposure to coding languages and problem-solving, developing their skills in programming.
• Chemistry: Fun and safe chemistry experiments allowed students to explore chemical reactions and basic scientific principles.

Throughout 2024, these topics helped foster a love for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics among students, empowering them to think creatively and approach problems with curiosity and innovation.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for the Ivy Tech Anderson’s Mobile STEM Lab?

As we reflect on the success of 2024, we’re already looking forward to the opportunities that 2025 will bring. We remain committed to inspiring and educating the next generation of STEM leaders. Stay tuned for more updates, and we look forward to continuing our journey with students, educators, and the community in the year ahead!

Thank you for being part of our story! We can’t wait to see where the Mobile STEM Lab goes next.