Technology continues to play a bigger role in education, and the Perry School District is embracing that shift this year with a K-12 curriculum devoted to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
Starting at Perry Elementary, students will get their first taste of computer science programs thanks to a grant from the State of Iowa. Assistant Principal Ryan Marzen says the “Computer Science is Elementary” program had a competitive application process, and he’s excited to get out ahead of the STEM revolution in education. “There was a lot of schools that did obviously apply for it, because it is in the right direction of where education is going with all the computers and one-to-one initiatives. And so we were very fortunate to be able to get this award. Looking 5-10 years from now, this will probably be a norm, but it’s kind of cool to be a pioneer with the computer science!”
The technology education will continue at Perry Middle School, where former math teacher Jonathan Hoefer will instruct a STEM elective for all grades. Principal Shaun Kruger says Hoefer led a STEM club the last few years and is now stepping into the subject full time. Kruger encourages students to give the class a try, as it promises to be accessible for kids with a wide variety of interests. “It can sound a little intimidating, however, Mr. Hoefer’s goal is to just make it very hands-on to where any student can come in and find a project and a variety of activities that will suit everybody. So it should be a really hands-on, engaging, entertaining class.”
Finally, the curriculum will get more advanced at the high school, where Principal Dan Marburger says they have computer programming classes that will prepare students for in-demand tech jobs. “One of their assignments is create an app for a phone, and so (we’re) really excited to see some of that. It’s real world skills that they’ll be able to go to, and go into a computer science college wherever that might be. So we’re hoping to get some kids there in computer science, a really needed area.”
To learn more about the Perry School District’s STEM curriculum, click the links below to listen to the Perry Fareway Let’s Talk Dallas County programs with Marzen and Elementary Principal Ned Menke, Kruger, and Marburger.
https://www.raccoonvalleyradio.com/2019/08/27/lets-talk-dallas-county-8-27-2019-ned-menke-and-ryan-marzen/
https://www.raccoonvalleyradio.com/2019/08/28/lets-talk-dallas-county-8-28-2019-shaun-kruger/
https://www.raccoonvalleyradio.com/2019/08/29/lets-talk-dallas-county-8-29-2019-dan-marburger/