Wednesday, October 2, 2024
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Serving Kosciusko County and parts of Elkhart, Marshall & Noble Counties Know Your Neighbor . . . . . . . . . 2➤ Good Neighbors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Fall Farming . . . . . . . . . . 6-15 AWL Coloring Contest . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Vol. 54, No. 15
Milford (574) 658-4111 • Warsaw (574) 269-2932 • Syracuse (574) 457-3666
114 W. Market, Warsaw, Indiana 46580
MOBILE LEARNING LAB — The Warsaw Inquiry Learning Lab, known as the W.I.L.L. bus, has been an instrumental force in transforming science, technology, engineering and mathematics education in Warsaw Community Schools for students in K-6 grades. Photos provided by Dan Graney.
Celebrating a decade of S.T.E.M. innovation with the W.I.L.L. bus By PHOEBE MUTHART Staff Writer The Warsaw Inquiry Learning Lab, better known as the W.I.L.L. bus, has been an instrumental force in transforming science, technology, engineering and mathematics education across Warsaw Community Schools over the past decade. “As we celebrate 10 years of success, we reflect on the impact it has had, not only in our schools, but also in our community,” said Daniel Graney, S.T.E.M. integration specialist for Warsaw Community Schools, and a W.I.L.L. Bus instructor. The idea for W.I.L.L. began in 20122013 and in 2014, it became a reality. The W.I.L.L bus was conceived with a bold mission — to bring S.T.E.M. learning directly to the elementary schools and to equip teachers with the tools and knowledge needed to foster S.T.E.M. learning in their classrooms. “We chose a mobile classroom to bring science directly to the students and teachers, making S.T.E.M. education accessible to everyone,” said Graney. As Washington S.T.E.M. Academy took off in 2014, the school board gave the administration a challenge to provide all eight of the Warsaw elementary schools with S.T.E.M. education. Thus, the W.I.L.L. bus. “All grades K-6 benefit from this program,” said Graney of the W.I.L.L. bus. As a result of this 10-year journey, all of Warsaw schools now have robust S.T.E.M. programs, ensuring students
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are consistently engaged in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics across the district. The mobile classroom played a key role in fostering this growth by providing hands-on experiences and sparking interest in S.T.E.M. subjects. “The lessons offered focus on thinking like an engineer or thinking like a scientist, encouraging students to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and inquiry-based learning skills that are essential for STEM education,” said Graney. “It incorporates a variety of lessons so that when students walk off the bus, they will be able to see themselves as scientists and engineers, whether in kindergarten or sixth grade.” By participating in lessons, students engage in hands-on activities and real-world applications, which enhance their understanding of engineering and scientific concepts. Over the years, the W.I.L.L. bus has made significant strides in fulfilling this vision. Through its hands-on instruction, it provides students with access to cutting-edge S.T.E.M. experiences, many of which were not otherwise available in the traditional classroom setting. The bus became a familiar sight, a traveling hub of excitement and learning that sparked students’ imaginations and deepened their understanding of science, technology, engineering, and math. Thanks to the W.I.L.L. bus and its dedicated teachers, S.T.E.M. is now a permanent and thriving part of the curriculum in all Warsaw elementary schools. Continued on page 4
HANDS-ON INSTRUCTION —The W.I.L.L. bus provides hands-on instruction in S.T.E.M. curriculum. The program started in 2014.
FALLTASTIC TRAIL WALK B October 5th & 6th • Noon - 4 Each Day CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT FOR MORE INFO VISIT WACF.COM & LIKE US ON FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM LEVINSON-LABROSSE LAKES & WETLANDS EDUCATION CENTER 11586 N. SR 13, SYRACUSE, IN 46567
ring the family!
Walk the 2 miles of decorated trails! Free refreshments for dogs and their humans!