STEM Cert Program: Empowering Educators in St. Louis

Over the past two weeks, a dynamic group of educators dove headfirst into a world of creativity, collaboration, and curiosity during our STEM Cert program—a hands-on experience designed to help teachers bring STEM to life in their classrooms. Led by a diverse team of inspiring STEM professionals, participants explored fresh, engaging strategies to make science, technology, engineering, and math more accessible, exciting, and student-centered.

Interested in joining in on the fun? Don’t miss your chance to participate in our Spring Virtual STEM Cert! Sign up now and get ready to reimagine what’s possible in your classroom: https://www.maryvilleca2.com/stemcert

Educators didn’t just learn—they experienced STEM through a variety of interactive activities, including:

• Programming and racing Sphero robots

• Building and problem-solving with LEGO engineering challenges

• Competing in strategy games that sharpen logical thinking

1. Strategy Games

Teachers engaged in strategy games that challenged them to think ahead, adapt plans, and stay curious. The activity promoted critical thinking through active, game-based learning.

• Sparked curiosity through strategic challenges.

• Promoted creative problem-solving in a fun, collaborative setting.

2. Sphero Robotics Soccer

Educators teamed up to control Sphero robots in a fast-paced game of soccer, working together to overcome challenges through communication and collaboration. The activity brought STEM learning to life with hands-on fun and teamwork.

• Strengthened communication and problem-solving skills

• Practiced coordination and fine motor control

3. Architecture Building Challenge

Teachers took on an architecture challenge using Brain Flakes and Kapla blocks to design imaginative builds with purpose and precision. The activity encouraged playful exploration of design thinking.

• Noticed design patterns that helped guide their builds.

• Put creativity to the test about how pieces could interact and support one another.

4. Lego Communication Challenge

In this challenge, one teacher described a hidden build while their partner followed only verbal instructions to recreate it. The activity emphasized the importance of clear, precise communication.

• Practiced giving and following detailed verbal instructions.

• Strengthened active listening and interpretation skills.

• Built awareness of how different people understand and visualize information.

  

Each day brought new opportunities to experiment, reflect, and grow as innovative educators. The energy, engagement, and ideas that came out of this two-week experience were nothing short of inspiring.