By Tim Reaves
BCS Communications Department
Candler Elementary School’s STEM Lab was filled with Yuletide cheer on Monday as students made their own Christmas ornaments.
Fourth graders colored and cut out paper designs of reindeer, Santas, Christmas trees, and gingerbread men while STEM Lab Manager Brett Osborne walked around and helped them tie knots for hanging the ornaments on Christmas trees. The students had a lot of fun, he said, because even something as simple as coloring and tying an ornament can engage the strategies of the STEM Lab – Ask, Imagine, Plan, Create, and Improve.
“The STEM Lab is all about leading, about doing things for yourself,” Mr. Osborne said. “They get to learn how to build things here using their imagination. We challenge them to think outside the box and grow their love of learning.”
Fourth graders Audrina, Reese, and Betzy concentrated as they decorated ornaments with crayons at one of the STEM Lab tables.
“STEM Lab helps us be creative and show what we can do, just by building and drawing stuff,” Reese said.
“I like it, because it’s fun and we can build new stuff that we haven’t learned yet and draw pictures,” Betzy added.
The kids love the STEM Lab almost as much as they love Mr. Osborne.
“He’s nice, and he’s just the best teacher,” said Audrina. “I’m glad he’s our teacher!”