STEM

WGES STEM Vision and Culture 

The STEM vision at Walnut Grove Elementary School is to provide a challenging 21st century learning environment through the integration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Walnut Grove Elementary students will:

1.    Empathize with and work to solve real world problems
2.     Understand and apply the engineering design process 
3.    Reflect upon their work in conversation and in writing
4.    Seek improvements and produce revisions of their work
5.    Share their solutions and insights in meaningful ways

At Walnut Grove Elementary School, we believe that students thrive and reach their fullest potential when we:

1. Cultivate caring, positive, and supportive learning environments
2. Advocate for the development of the whole child through academic, social-emotional service learning, and extracurricular activities
3. Provide engaging and authentic learning experiences designed to help students develop a passion for lifelong learning
4. Offer challenging and individualized learning for each student
5. Create a welcoming and inclusive culture for our diverse school community

STEM is a vital part of providing this educational experience. We use STEM to plan for rich, integrated learning experiences across the curriculum. Our growing STEM culture also influences other aspects of school life at Walnut Grove Elementary, including LEAP (Learning Enrichment Academic Program) and PBIS programs.

Walnut Grove Elementary School seeks to be a school culture completely driven by STEM. It is our vision that all decisions be filtered through a STEM mindset. Teachers are currently focusing their efforts on examining their curriculum and so that they can infuse the various components of STEM into their units of study. Students are learning to use inquiry skills daily to go beyond the grade level standards and apply what they have learned to real world experiences at home. We are in the process of working with parents and community partners to support the STEM initiative at Walnut Grove Elementary through fundraising, material donations, and volunteer work. 

How can we help protect nature?

How can we help living things thrive in our community? That’s the question guiding kindergarten students at WGES as they explore the needs of all living things—food, water, shelter, and space. Through hands-on STEM challenges, a live chicken visit, and a “Living Things Walk,” students practice empathy, ask questions, and design solutions to support animals and plants. Along the way, they discover the engineering design process, build teamwork skills, and learn how kindness and creativity can make a difference in their world.

How can we help our garden grow all year long? First graders at WGES are tackling this question through a year-long STEM project focused on the school garden. Students explore the needs of plants and animals while investigating how weather creates challenges in each season. They design and test solutions to help the garden thrive despite changing conditions, documenting their ideas in STEM journals. Along the way, they practice the engineering design process, strengthen problem-solving skills, and build a deeper connection to the natural world.

What can we do to protect pollinators in our community? That’s the challenge second graders at WGES are exploring in their yearlong Pollinator Pals project. Students study pollinator life cycles, basic needs, and ecosystem roles while investigating real-world problems that affect pollinators’ survival. Through reading, data collection, math applications, and collaborative discussions, they design and build improvements for the school garden. Alongside this work, students learn about Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter’s environmental contributions and practice positive citizenship. 

How can we protect our planet and reduce pollution? Third graders at WGES are investigating this question in their Planet Protectors unit. Students explore the causes and effects of pollution, study recycling and conservation, and learn how citizens can take action for the common good. They collect and analyze pollution data in math, conduct research and present findings in ELA, and design solutions through STEM. Already, students have partnered with the City of Walnut Grove to launch an annual “Recycling in the City Day” and started a school-wide paper recycling program. They are continuing their efforts to reduce pollution on campus and in the community through a public awareness campaign and proposals like a Plastic Pollution Prevention bill—gaining experience as problem-solvers, communicators, and environmental citizens.

How can we cultivate healthy soil in a way that protects the ecosystem? Fourth graders at WGES are tackling this challenge in their Wriggly Wonders STEM unit. Students inherit and improve a grade-level worm bin system to support the school’s pollinator garden, learning firsthand how decomposers and healthy soil impact ecosystems. They collect and graph data on worm bin health, apply math to track trends, and use writing to communicate their findings with evidence. Through budgeting and real-world decision-making, students also build financial literacy. Guided by the Engineering Design Process, they design, test, and refine solutions—gaining practical experience in problem-solving while growing as environmental stewards.

How can we design a future where we stop waste before it is created? Fifth graders at WGES are tackling this question in a yearlong STEM mission to solve the school’s massive food waste problem. As they observed food waste in the school gardens, students discovered that the problem is even bigger than they first thought. Using the Engineering Design Process, they research, plan, and prototype sustainable composting systems that enrich the landscape without attracting pests. They collaborate with younger grades—supporting fourth grade’s worm bins and kindergarten’s interest in schoolyard chickens—to create a systems-thinking solution that benefits the whole campus. Along the way, students analyze microorganisms, study erosion, budget for materials, interpret real data, and communicate evidence-based recommendations, all while working toward a more sustainable future.