School Location:
Vancouver, Washington

Fellows:
Andrea Mortensen
Randall Bergstrom
Spencer Nedved

School Website: 
http://evergreenps.org/Schools/Middle-Schools/Frontier

School Team of the Month - December 2015

What's the most ambitious element of your STEM work for Frontier so far?

Randy and Andrea are coach and mentor for not one, but two First Lego League Robotics Teams. The teams were able to get recognition as an after school club sponsored by the Associated Student Body. We already have 24 students attending across the Middle School. Feeling a bit overwhelmed at the start, we reached out to our Fellows at Loretto and appreciated their suggestions and encouragement. Our first competition is this month!

What exciting STEM experiences are happening at Frontier Middle School?

In 8th grade science, student teams are researching and designing a model ecosystem to sustain 12 aquatic and terrestrial organisms in one system. Students presented their models and justifications to an outside panel of experts last month.

In 8th grade math, students are modeling a bungee jumping business for Barbie and other action figures, determining how many rubber bands will provide a safe yet thrilling experience for Barbie and friends. Using their models of the linear relationships, they will create a business plan that can be adapted for any action figure.  

In what ways have you been able to engage other members of your school, local community, or other STEM Teaching Fellows?

Part of our STEM Impact Plan is to increase awareness of STEM careers in our community. Through networking with Southwest Washington STEM Network, Women's Funding Alliance, and Clark College, we have gained support to implement a Family STEM Night in the coming semester.

In November, a team of 25 Physics students attended the Clark County Business Leadership Summit. Students presented and challenged the audience members following the theme of the TV show "Are You Smarter Than an 8th Grader?" Above is a picture of one group's presentation on Distance vs. Displacement. 

Finally, Spencer and Randy have taken on new leadership roles as STEM-LIT (Learning Inquiry Team) facilitators in the district. They served as session facilitators for a weeklong STEM Summer Camp in August, where students completed design challenges including real-world performance assessments co-designed with local industry. We're working to spread the STEM word throughout our metropolitan area!