SHARP and STEM

SHARP and STEM

Here at SHARP we are still “buzzing” over the successful unveiling of Bella the Honey Bee Robot.  On January 16, 2013 we invited teachers, students, community members, donors and media to attend Bella’s unveiling at the Milwaukee School of Engineering’s Grohmann Museum.  We could have not been happier with the day.

Bella the Honey Bee Robot

The Honey Bee Robot, which was first envisioned by SHARP last year, aligns with the direction that the SHARP curriculum and today’s students are heading.  At SHARP we recognize that in order to stay relevant, meaningful, and truly make a difference we must help in educating today’s youth for tomorrow’s workforce.   To address this need, SHARP continues to incorporate STEM philosophy into the core curriculum. 

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) is a national education movement which emerged after recognizing that the standard K-12 education model was not adequately preparing our students to succeed beyond the classroom.   STEM will prepare our students for the skilled workforce that they will face as they begin their careers; it also stresses the importance of integrating educational disciplines as opposed to isolating each subject. 

Bella the Honey Bee Robot is SHARP’s most recent incorporation of STEM principles.  Our first grade students will be able to read about honey bees, pollination, and growing things in our 10th We Love to Learn book A Busy Bee: The Story of Bella the Honey Bee; then they will interact with Bella the Honey Bee Robot.  Bella acts to further support students’ learning and engagement with the story.  Bella has a touch screen panel with questions and answers to challenge students’ thinking and increase their background knowledge, a video that informs students about honey bee communication, and a diagram with LED’s that highlight the honey bee anatomy.  Bella speaks both English and Spanish.

Going forward, SHARP will continue to use STEM principles and philosophy.  The next We Love to Learn book, tentatively titled Our Great Lake, will be an exploration of weather and freshwater.  Much like A Busy Bee and the robot, Our Great Lake will also have an interactive component.  A 3D model will be developed to promote active engagement of second graders’ critical and creative thinking skills.  The model will also appeal to different learning styles, multiple intelligences, and the senses.

SHARP Staff and Students at the unveiling

SHARP has come a long way since its first workbook that used visual images and art history to help second grade students understand weather.  True to our history, as we continue to use the visual arts to engage young minds and reinforce learning, SHARP will adapt to the needs of our students, schools, and community.  SHARP was born out of a need to integrate subjects; using STEM is just another way to ensure that Milwaukee’s students succeed.

Best,

Lynda