Anoka Times

This spring, fourth grade students from University Avenue Elementary - Aerospace, Children’s Engineering and Science participated in two unique learning experiences with high school students from Blaine High School - Center for Engineering, Mathematics and Science (BHS).

In April, BHS seniors enrolled in the specialty program (CEMS) visited University Avenue to interact and mentor the fourth grade ‘Innovation Experts’ with their Innovation Fair projects.

“Our elementary students are in awe of having high school students work with and spend time with them,” said Kate Watson, University Avenue Curriculum Integration Coordinator. “They not only get support in articulating their innovation fair projects, but they get to hear more about what high school is like and what opportunities are available to them in the future.”

In May, the University Avenue students had the opportunity to visit BHS, experience different CEMS classes and hear from the seniors about their capstone projects. The high schoolers became the instructors with interactive activities like flight simulators, a light lab, website coding, using design software to create an object, and working with circuits. During the two hour visit, the seniors also demonstrated their CEMS senior capstone projects. View photos of the two visits.

“What I like about coming to the high school is learning how to do coding and doing things with circuits and being able to learn things beforehand when you’re not in the grade yet,” said University Avenue student Jonathan Lawhead.

The collaboration is typically an annual event but hasn’t taken place the last two school years. The idea is to connect the two magnet programs and provide the elementary students with a glimpse into what the future could hold for them in high school. 

“I think it is kind of cool to learn what they do here and all the different experiences that we can have,” said fourth grader Ethan Poser.

“It’s fun to have these guys come over and show them all these cool things you get to do as a high schooler,” BHS senior Drew Fleming said. “It gets them excited.”

Original source can be found here.