Teachers in Rabun County, Georgia Focus on STEM Education

Rabun County Elementary School Hosts Steve Spangler’s Everyday STEM Workshop

TIGER, GEORGIA – For teachers and staff at Rabun County Public Schools, the meaning of STEM stretches far beyond the simple elements of science, technology, engineering and math. These educators know that any STEM-based learning initiative is rooted in the 21st-century learning skills of communication, collaboration, critical thinking and creativity.

Kelly McKay, Assistant Superintendent, and Superintendent, April Childers, reached out to our office with the idea of hosting a hands-on, professional development experience on for K-6 teachers in the district who are eager to explore more best practices and instructional strategies for integrating the building blocks of STEM into every aspect of the curriculum. In Rabun County Public Schools, agricultural education helps to elevate STEM to STEAM with emphasis on both “arts” and “agriculture.”

Giant balloon structures, human-powered electrical circuits and water-absorbing polymers were just a few of the many STEM themes teachers explored at the Everyday STEM workshop on February 21, 2023.

Best of all, it was great to be in a place where teachers felt valued and appreciated for the hard work they do every day. The smiles were genuine and the laughs helped all of us to remember why we do what we do each and every day.