Newsweek announced its ranking of the top 5,000 STEM high schools for 2019, honoring excellence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Woodstock Union High School was named No. 1,745 of all schools and N. 974 of all public schools.
“Children don’t realize it, but they’re natural STEM students,” said Nancy Cooper, Newsweek global editor in chief. “We need to make sure that innate drive, curiosity, and creativity aren’t lost along the way. These high schools are helping to ensure America’s future in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics is in good hands.”
A solid STEM education in the Windsor Central Supervisory Union begins in the early grades.
All elementary students have access to an innovation lab or maker space. In these environments children learn to design, refine, and build using 3D printers and other technologies.
Killington Elementary School students are currently involved in a project in which they are prototyping different ornament designs and then manufacturing the final products to be publicly displayed at Killington’s Vermont Holiday Festival at the Killington Grand Hotel from Dec. 6-7.
The NuVu Studio, a lab located in the Woodstock Union middle and high school, engages students in architectural design projects. This year it has sought to expand its programming beyond the school day with the introduction of family innovation nights.
Community members of all ages are encouraged to attend an upcoming evening session to learn more about the design process and approaches to complex problem solving.
Dec. 4: Old Made New, 6:30-8 p.m.
We will time travel many years out into the future, when people are living past 150 years of age on average. The new retirement age is now 120 years old, and the “elderly” are hustling more than ever. We will imagine ourselves as members of this super-senior community and design devices to help our extended existence.
Highlighted skills:
Rapid prototyping
User-centered design
Dec. 11: Climate Changed, 6:30- 8 p.m.
The environment and the climate are in dire conditions, yet there is an astounding lack of response to this crisis. We will envision ourselves 50 years in the future and designing our responses to the changed climate and environment. What will you need to remain comfortable or capable of handling this shift?
Highlighted skills:
Topical research
Conceptual design
Rapid prototyping
