Education grant connects Wright State students with Dayton Regional STEM School for instructional education partnership

Over 100 10th graders from the Dayton Regional STEM School visited with over 80 Wright State University elementary education students and faculty for collaboration, exercise and smoothies.

The goal of the project is to enhance community engagement through authentic learning experiences while promoting education and health programs in Wright State’s College of Health, Education and Human Services to K-12 students.

During the Oct. 21 visit, the 10th graders collaborated with Wright State students enrolled in teacher education and kinesiology and health courses to brainstorm integrated science and health lessons that Wright State graduates can use when they land teaching jobs.

The 110 high school students toured the Dayton Campus and engaged in education and health career sessions.

“I’m very excited to collaborate with these high schoolers,” said Kristina White, a senior majoring in elementary education. “They bring in newer and fresher ideas.”

After the field trip, the 10th graders returned to the Dayton Regional STEM school to design elementary lessons with 3D printed manipulatives for Wright State students to field test in local schools.

“The hope is both the elementary education candidates, the health and physical education candidates and 10th graders from Dayton Regional STEM School will collaborate and all get something out of this experience together,” Michelle Fleming, Ph.D., associate professor of elementary education.

The project is supported by the Wright State University Foundation’s Students First Fund.

Grant funds covered bags, notebooks, pens, stickers and folders. Funds also covered curricular materials for Wright State students to teach lessons at local elementary schools.