I teach STEM at a K-4, Title 1 school in rural North Carolina. My students and I are very fortunate to have received our WalkKits via a grant! I am doing The Walking Classroom with my third and fourth graders (a total of ten classes!).
Students see me on a weekly, rotating basis, so I am about finished with my second round of podcasts with each class. One of my five days with my third and fourth graders has become Walking Classroom day, and they love it! Students have enjoyed getting outside, walking, the content of the podcasts, and our discussions that follow!
I was very excited to have the option of podcasts that focus on STEM — either people in STEM or science topics. My personal goal is that I highlight a woman or a person of color in STEM (historical or contemporary) at least once every week when students visit my STEM room. Not only have students learned a lot, but I have learned something new with each podcast that I listen to!
The first podcast that I did with students was on Benjamin Banneker (5-#28, STEM-#7, Complete-#153). I knew that he was born free in the 1700s, planned out Washington, D.C., and that was about it. However, The Walking Classroom’s podcast gave me his family history. I (and my students) learned how Banneker’s family came to America and how it was possible for him to be born free, as well as his other accomplishments.
Students are so excited about The Walking Classroom that when a few students missed STEM on the day of our podcast, they came to me during their recess to get their WalkKits so they could listen to the podcast that they had missed! I couldn’t believe that fourth graders chose to listen to a STEM podcast during their recess. That is proof of how engaging The Walking Classroom is and how much students enjoy learning this way. I cannot say enough positive things about The Walking Classroom!
Lisa McDowell
STEM Teacher
Benson Elementary
We are also a STEM school in NC! We have also enjoyed getting students involved with The Walking Classroom! I’d love to connect, if you’re willing, to talk more about how you use the program with your students.