STRUTHERS, Ohio – Whack-a-mole, boxing and a giant version of the Simon electronic memory game don’t sound like elements of a traditional science, technology, engineering and math curriculum.
But STEM Playbook combines sports and activities with STEM concepts. The United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley brought the learning platform to Struthers Elementary and Sebring’s B.L. Miller Elementary schools’ summer school as part of its Success After Six program.
Katie Grootegode, STEM Playbook co-founder, said lessons this week started with building confidence in memory activities and moved into kinesthetic learning.
“And we had math concepts all of yesterday,” she said Thursday. “We worked on reaction time where they grabbed a ruler, and they had to look at the ruler to see what the measurement was. We talked about the type of measurement they were going to use: the inches versus centimeters. Then they put all of it on a graph.”
STEM Playbook is aligned with state learning standards, said Grootegode, who worked for many years as a teacher.
It combines learning and technology with physical activity – education with athletics and sports.
“It’s kind of reimagining what education should be,” she said.
Londyn Jones and Hailey Fedorochak, rising fourth and fifth graders, respectively, crouched facing each other on the gymnasium floor. Between them were four round objects that light up either red or blue. If one lit blue, Londyn would press it. A red light prompted Hailey.
The game determines who has the fastest reaction time, said Jessie Dann of STEM Playbook.
“Summer school is really funner than real school,” Londyn said.
STEM Playbook partnered with Nex Playground, which provided a Whack-a-Mole video game. Nex Playground is an active play system designed to get children and families moving throughout the year.
Alyssa Briggs, STEM Playbook co-founder, said the organization started in January and is working with several business incubators across the state.
It will host a community fun day for families and community members from noon to 2 p.m. Friday at B.L. Miller.
When the Struthers third and fourth graders entered the gym Thursday morning, the first thing they wanted to do was run laps.
“It’s just naturally what a lot of these kids do,” Grootegode said. “… And we’re just expanding on that and showing them exactly what’s happening in their body – talking about their pulses, talking about increase. We’re talking about math and percentages – how much oxygen is in your body.”
Roxann Sebest, vice president of the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, said Allen Ryan, director of corporate affairs at Covelli Enterprises, brought STEM Playbook to United Way’s attention.
“Covelli is helping sponsor it for us,” she added.
United Way has been working to diversify its Success After Six program since the 21st Century grant program, which formerly funded much of it, isn’t available this year.
“And we wanted to see how can we still implement programming in schools at a more affordable level and meet the kids’ needs,” Sebest said.
United Way’s impact team liked the program, and STEM Playbook trained United Way volunteers and employees in how to use it and to bring it to more schools.
In addition to the Struthers and Sebring elementary schools, STEM Playbook will also be implemented as part of the Success After Six programs at Youngstown Community School, Austintown, Boardman and Taft (Youngstown City School District) elementary schools.
The United Way vice president said the program also fills a need for middle-grade students.
“We thought that it was a good way to kind of expand our programming, expand what we have to offer, meet the kids where they’re at and make it fun and enjoyable,” she said.
Pictured at top: Evelynn O’Brien, Jessie Dann, Johnathan Lochan and Londyn Jones.