Students from the 4-H Tech Wizards and Teen Teachers program show off the projects from that day’s class. Participants used the 3D digital design program Tinkercad to design pumpkin models and then printed them with one of the school’s digital printers. Photos by Benjamin Marxer.Keela Kaszubski watches as the 3D printer creates her design. Students designed pumpkins using Tinkercad and then had them printed on the school’s 3D printers.Tech Wizards Isabella Bartolo, Keela Kaszubski and Allison McGee present their most recent projects. Students designed pumpkins using Tinkercad design software and then printed their designs on 3D printers.

Cobden School club focuses on STEAM education

For four years, the Cobden School District has helped cultivate the minds and capture the imaginations of students in the fields of science and technology with their 4-H Tech Wizards and Teen Teachers program. 

The extracurricular club teaches unique, advanced lessons and hands-on tutorials on subjects in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) to 4th and 5th grade students. 

“We are always trying new things,” says Cobden science teacher Holly Hurt. “We may tinker this week, do coding next week, we may do some engineering type-things, we may try some new kind of art form or experiments in electronics.” 

Lessons are led by “Teen Teachers,” Cobden High School students who are trained to be mentors and leaders for the Tech Wizards. 

Teen Teachers and their Tech Wizards meet once a week for tutorials and experimentation in a variety of subjects in the arts and sciences. There is also a week-long summer program, as well as field trips during the school year. 

The program is not only beneficial for a new generation of science and technology innovators, but science and technology educators as well. 

“Being part of the class has really made me want to be a teacher even more,” says Cobden senior and Teen Teacher Tori Fuhrhop.

Tori plans to major in elementary education after high school, and her time as a Teen Teacher has helped inspire her in her future career. 

“I love seeing how the kids progress throughout the year, and seeing their imaginations grow and develop,” says Tori. “I can incorporate the things we’ve learned here when I become a teacher.” 

 

 

The Gazette-Democrat

112 Lafayette St.
Anna, Illinois 62906
Office Number: (618) 833-2158
Email: news@annanews.com

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