The Outdoor Watershed project at Big Creek Elementary provided students with an opportunity to create scaled down versions of natural and man made water landscapes. Preschool students studied the watershed and how Edison brings water from the top of the mountains down to the valleys for man uses, one being agriculture. Using loose parts students built a garden and a water movement system to grow their own agriculture products.

The new Granite Ridge Robotics course gave 20 middle school students an opportunity to participate in the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) robotics competitions for the first time in Clovis Unified’s history. With the help from 100 members of the Clovis North High School robotics team as mentors, plus parents and professionals from the community, the students designed, prototyped, built, and competed with their robots.

Music Mania brought a special innovative spark to the arts for students at Pine Ridge Elementary. Kindergarten through third grade students learned music using floor mat piano keyboards in the music classroom. The project encouraged students to simultaneously move, jump and listen to music, as well as compose music. Both the body and mind were involved in this active learning process. The floor keyboards were used to excite students about learning early rhythms and reading music notes.

The Retro Graphic Arts project expanded the visual arts program at Sanger Academy Charter School with the addition of a photography elective. Students learned the classic art of photography and incorporated it in different formats such as journalism, yearbook, and as an artistic expression of themselves. Some of the activities of this project included experimenting with different controls and compositions as they learned more about the camera, working on identifying their own personal artistic style, and taking photos using the skills they have learned.

Students at Kerman Floyd Elementary were given an opportunity to learn to navigate as drone pilots. Once they were able to control the drones, they used math to estimate the height of a pole. Students also learned coding and how to navigate the drones using a flight plan app. They practiced speed and altitude for the best methods of photographing fields for farmers. They did a practice run at a local vineyard where they learned the “real life” application of technology in today’s world.

Researching and learning can spark a flare with Break Out Boxes by making learning collaborative, creative and fun. Students at Central High West where given puzzle challenges to learn about science and social studies in various classes. Students had to work together to unlock a treasure by using clues provided. In a library setting with resources such as print, E-books and online databases, students have the opportunity to think and be creative while searching for information.

Students in Ms. Casida's classroom at Lincoln Elementary, Kingsburg Unified, conducted research to explore how water is supplied to the consumer. They learned about the process to purify water and why it is important. They had to create a solution to improve their waters journey so they designed, built, programmed, tested, and improved a model made of Lego bricks. The children had to motorize part of their model and have a working, moving part. To conclude their project, they created and shared a “Show Me” poster and completed an Engineering Notebook.

Solar Powered Learning was focused on hands-on learning to teach students about the fundamentals of electrical energy and forms of alternative energy. Students at Sutter Middle School learned about basic electrical energy and how electricity moves. As the project progressed, students were able to use small solar panels and other forms of alternative energy. They learned how to power a light bulb using a battery and different wiring configurations.

The United (PE) class at Central East High School was created to foster students that need support in physical education. United PE is a class designed for students with a firm grasp on basic sports skills who are interested in developing leadership skills and learning how to work with special populations. Students enrolled in United PE are paired with students with intellectual or physical challenges. As a pair, students develop skills in various sports and finish each unit with a tournament and assessment that enables them to demonstrate their mastered skill.

Fourth graders at Caruthers Elementary School were given a chance to travel back in time to the gold rush days of California. History came alive as students participated in a field trip with Gold Gulch Adventures. Students took part in the interactive story of how the gold rush started and they participated in many activities that brought science and social studies lessons to life. They panned for gold, learned about Native American culture, made candles, explored electromagnets, and identified minerals.

The Sculpture in Future Mediums project at Westside Elementary was designed to allow students 1:1 access to cutting-edge technology in the field of art with 3D printing pens. The pens enable students to explore the principles of design, composition, and artistic space through the additive sculpture process. Students were able to demonstrate an increased understanding of spatial awareness and artistic form as they designed and constructed model cars, airplanes, and glasses.

The goal of Science Projects at Washington Colony was to extend STEM activities with an engineering emphasis to students to participate in the regional Science Olympiad Tournament. Students who previously were not involved in an academic extracurricular activity were able to study, build, and compete in this rigorous competition. They were able to further engage in a deeper understanding of science content such as anatomy, geology and chemistry. This experience and the exposure that students received has them excited to return to the competition next year.

Students at Abraham Lincoln Middle School purchased hobby solar panels and small motors and accessories that students in Manufacturing class can use and reuse for project-based learning assignments in the Fabrication Lab/Makerspace. Students researched, designed and manufactured solar powered vehicles and battery powered vehicles using propeller-fan and wheels, as well as scribble bots. This project has provided a rich culture of creativity, collaboration, communication and critical thinking (the “4-C’s”).

The Lego Story Starter project at Abraham Lincoln Middle School was designed to get students more creatively involved in the writing process. The Lego Story Starter kits include bricks, characters, and other accessories to build scenes on which to write their stories. Students worked in groups of three to collaboratively write a story with the kits. They made a scene then wrote a story or wrote a story then made the scene. I also had them make a scene after listening to a story or poem.

Students who participated in the AT Devices - Service Learning project at CART gathered information on a physical disability. With this information they designed and built a prototype, or proof of concept, that would enhance or improve the physical modality of an individual with said disability or aid in the processing or manipulation of their standard environment. Several products were made and showcased including a glove that translated sign language into audio, an ergonomic walking cane, and a prosthetic leg for a dog. One project success was a bicycle attachment for a wheelchair.

STEM in the Classroom introduced coding programs to Fairmont Elementary kindergartners using Bee Bots. Students learned computer coding skills while programing the Bee Bot to complete different academic tasks. The students were highly engaged with the different learning mats and became true masters of coding the Bees. The most fascinating part of the project was with a particular student who struggled with language and academic tasks, but when it came to coding the Bees he was one of the experts. The teacher was amazed to see him shine and find his gift!

Art School After School was a popular class at Burroughs Elementary. Over 50 4th and 5th grade students responded to the call to participate in an exciting series of art lessons. Students began by analyzing and talking about art elements in landscape paintings before they created their own interpretations. They continued this "experience, observe, discuss and create" process through exposure to a wide variety of art and styles by artists including Henri Matisse, Frida Khalo, Jackson Pollock, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Louise Nevelson.