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 AED Trainer is an interactive simulator to assist the instructor with the training needs for CPR. All seniors must have a CPR training course as a graduation requirement. Students in the Health  courses in preparation for entry into nursing programs will benefit from this equipment. An additional set of AEDs were also purchased to replace the older items for use in the district.  

Additionally, the district is starting a series of new classes in the health sciences curriculum. Equipment for the new classes is being purchased such as beds, sinks, toilets, mannikins, personal kits, and much more to support the teaching of these new classes.  

The Ag Science Van from Friends of Ag in the Department of Agriculture provides hands on science  labs for the students in grades K - 8.   Students go into the ag lab for 2 different science experiments encompassing anything from analyzing eggs to learning how plant stems soak up the water and nutrients. 

The middle school students have STEM lab as a scheduled class during the homeroom periods this year. The goals of this class are: 1. Have students apply the engineering design process as discover science and math concepts, 2. Increase engagement and give students an active role in their learning, and 3. To instill soft skills needed in the work force. There were problems posed that the students needed to solve, create prototypes, analyze then and try to improve on their design. Competitions were created to allow students to evaluate projects and encourage reflections and possible modifications. Kits were obtained through an EITC grant from PPL.

Students raise trout in the classroom and use the aquarium water to recycle into this hydroponic tower. The trout water contains the nutrients that plants require and the water after it is cycled through the water wall is recycled back into the trout tank. This is a nutrient boost as well as keeping the tank cleaner for the system

and the fish. The students had to research the nutrients and light requirements for the individual plants used in the wall. The wall is moveable and spends time in each of two classrooms with trout tanks and in the library for all students to view and learn recycling lessons. Hydroponic system is currently planted with items the students use for salads and snacks in the classrooms 

A teacher in the JSE elementary building wrote a grant to establish a community garden for all to use.  The fifth graders weeded, planted and tended to this garden during the spring and summer months.  Anyone who is food insecure are welcome to pick what they need.  

We hosted the author and illustrator Judy Nordstrom to our elementary schools in March of 2024. In each presentation she talked about how to create a book and how she came up with the ideas to write each book. She talked about the writing process and how students can do this as well.

Students wrote mini books about the events during the year or narratives about their favorite experiences, favorite part of the school day, and their favorite activity in STEAM. They used the knowledge they learned from Ms. Nordstrom about coming up with ideas and the writing process to work through their books.

                    Our librarian likes providing the opportunity to have a published author come to our schools to talk about how they write their books. Students enjoy the visits, and it gets them excited about writing. I would write another grant to host another author in the future.