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STEM
Page 4 Electronic Edition: www.teachingtodaywi.com
8th Grader at MPS’s Golda Meir School is One of the Top 300
Junior Innovators in u.S.
selected in the nationwide Thermo Fisher Scien- about the harmful effects of lead in drinking water “there’s only one answer, but there are other ways
tific Junior Innovators Challenge. The challenge on children, she decided to conduct more research to get there,” she said.
is an annual science, technology, engineering, on lead pipes. The appeal to her of PLTW is that students
and math (STEM) competition for middle school Precious decided to construct a water filter can focus on the topics that interest them. “We get
students. A panel of scientists, engineers, and edu- from paper. The first designs proved too thick or to choose what problem we want to solve,” she
cators from around the country selected the Top too fragile; as is typical with experimentation, said. The class also organizes field trips for stu-
300 Junior innovators. Precious found she had to “try, try again.” The dents, who get to meet the people whose jobs the
Precious qualified for the challenge after cover of the award-winning project, a booklet students aspire to, Precious added. “it’s a really
winning first place in the science category at the made from water filters. nice class.”
Badger State Science and Engineering Fair for her Eventually, she came up with an engineering Precious is thankful to her PLTW teacher,
project, “Lead Water Safety with Leah the Leath- process to make the paper as quickly as possible, Tina Gleason, who helped her shape and develop
erback Turtle” — or, as it’s called in the Thermo designing a circular filter with a perforated slit in her STEM project. “Thanks to her, i had the
Fisher competition, “Development of a Litera- the center that could be turned into a secure cone opportunity to try and challenge myself and work
ture-Based Methodology for Educating on Water shape. hard on this project,” she said.
Contamination and Filtration using Common Precious worked in her school’s lab for Precious plans to continue at Golda Meir
Household Materials.” Project Lead The Way (PLTW). There, she could School for high school. Someday, she’d like to be
Precious was in 7th grade when she pre- conduct her research and use a 3D printer for her a biological or environmental engineer. Although,
pared her project, a book made of removeable, project. she said, since most of the adults in her family are
usable paper water filters she constructed that can She began taking STEM classes in 6th and doctors, the healthcare field interests her, as well.
be used to remove contaminants. The book’s text 7th grade and also is in STEM Club. The first time “We are so proud of her and her PLTW
is printed on plastic overlays that cover each filter. she joined the competition for the Badger State teacher,” said Martha Silva-Krieger, instruc-
Milwaukee Public Schools The text is intended to educate children Science and Engineering Fair, in 6th grade, she tional mentor coach with MPS’s Advanced
An 8th grader at Golda Meir School turned about the dangers of contaminated water and the took 3rd place. When she won 1st place in her Academics Programs. “This achievement
her concern over lead water pipes and keeping precautions needed to stay safe but written so as second try, “I was really excited,” Precious said. deserves to be celebrated.”
children safe into a winning science project. Now, to not alarm them. “i really like science and math. Those are
she’s one of only 300 Junior innovators in the A young cousin inspired her to consider my favorite subjects,” she said. They’re also sub-
united States for 2024. the topic of children’s health. “She just eats and jects her parents encouraged her to take an interest mps.milwaukee.k12.
Adenike (Precious) Olowu was one of 1,862 bites a lot of things. What if she eats something in, she added. wi.us
entrants and the only student from Wisconsin, that hurts her?” Precious said. Then, after hearing What intrigues Precious about math is that
STEM Shuttle Gives Students Space
to Learn! Wishing you
joy and peace
this holiday season
from the staff at
Teaching Today WI,
Transportation Today WI, &
The STEM Shuttle is in its 19th year of “From an engineer’s point of view, the Manufacturing Today WI
docking at schools in Wisconsin. The program, designed tasks the kids take part in are very
incorporating space travel and hands-on work- thought provoking and exciting to watch. The
stations, is designed for grades 4 - 8. up to 10 three instructors are well prepared and cer- Watch for our next issue
students per session are challenged at a series tainly enjoy having the children participate. coming in January, featuring
of hands-on workstations assisted by our It was even my experience to share my back-
veteran on board teachers. There are up to 5 ground in teaching one of the tasks for the our special section:
sessions during the day. last group that came through. I spent a better
Recently, the STEM Shuttle was visited part of my day aboard the shuttle and accom- Transportation Today WI
by Jon Kukuk, an engineer, who also serves modated school staff and the media to see the
on the Peshtigo school board. Since this was event, talk to the children and experience the
the first time an engineer was on board during excitement.”
a shuttle mission, we asked Jon to share his
thoughts on the STEM Shuttle program. Here You are invited to visit www.stemshuttle.
is an excerpt from his response. com to learn more about the STEM Shuttle,
including fees and a whole lot more.