KMES gets surprise grant through STEM Forward

Jessica Marquardt, got a great surprise recently, when her classroom was surprised with a grant from Nasco, a leader in STEM/STEAM education curriculum, supplies, and solutions. Nasco teamed up with Southeast Service Cooperative’s STEM Forward to help her classroom with science, technology, engineering and math(STEM) resources for her classroom to increase STEM awareness and excitement with students.
When the students found out that they would be getting these materials, they were excited to say the least.
“Students in Marquardt's Classroom exuded excitement around their rock kits. How cool is it that something so relevant, like an escape room challenge, is applicable to a first grade classroom,” Sarah Ness, STEM Forward Program Manager said. “Her ingenuity coupled with her ability to meet many of the state education standards is incredibly innovative.”
Marquardt, explained that one of the main reason why she pursued the grant, is because of her students love for hands on learning.
“My class is full of curious kids who love to really interact with the things we are learning - I am excited to give them that opportunity with these new tools,” Marquardt said.
KMES Principal Ariana Wright, explained that Marquardt, crafts her lessons with students curiosity in mind, making her a perfect candidate for the grant.
“Mrs. Marquardt teaches with students' questions and curiosity in mind.  Her desire to use every avenue possible to provide resources for her students is exemplary,” Wright explained.
For Marquardt, she is excited to share her passion for geology, with her students, in a new way.
"Geology was my favorite area of science to study, so it has been a treat for me to share that passion with my class,” Marquardt said. "We will be using the new materials to put our scientific skills to the test and show all we have learned about rocks.  In the future, we will use the materials throughout our unit on rocks,” she added.
Marquardt will create a video of the lesson taught in the classroom with the supplies along with student testimonials of the lesson. In April, Marquardt will presenting the video and a short presentation to her peers from around southeast Minnesota at the STEM Forward Spring Educator Forum on April 10, 2019 at Southeast Service Cooperative.