Page 5 - MTWISpringSummer2025.html

STEM
Teaching Today Wisconsin | Spring/Summer 2025 Page 5

Mauston School District Goes

FULL
FULL
STEAM
STEAM

AHEAD
AHEAD

In the heart of the Mauston School cational journey. Lemonweir Academy
District, a revolution in education is taking collaborates with Outdoors Forever to provide
place. Through innovative programs and a students with hands-on environmental educa- The high school Supermileage team works on several designs to create a fuel efficient vehicle
commitment to STEAM (Science, Technol- tion and conservative experiences. that can go 500+ miles on one gallon of gas.
ogy, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) the Through projects like maple syrup pro-
district is transforming the way students learn duction, invasive species removal, and habitat Mauston High School’s CTE program students at the center of their education. By
and engage with the world around them. By maintenance, students learn about local provides students with opportunities to gain integrating personalized learning, project-
fostering and creating student-cen- ecosystems and the importance of industry-recognized certifications and partici- based approaches, and real-world experiences,
tered environments, the school environmental stewardship. These pate in internships and apprenticeships. A key the district is cultivating a generation of critical
district of Mauston fosters cre- opportunities foster a deep con- component of the CTE program is Eagle Enter- thinkers and problem solvers who are ready to
ativity, critical thinking, and nection to nature and prepare prises, a student-run business initiative. Here, tackle the challenges of tomorrow.
real-world problem solving. students to be informed and students gain experience in entrepreneurship,
Education is more than active citizens. learning essential skills like marketing, finance, Courtesy of the DPI
just acquiring knowledge; At iLead Charter customer service, and management. Working
it’s about helping stu- School, the hands-on with local businesses and community members,
dents develop the skills and approach is central to their students have been involved with many differ- maustonschools.org
mindset needed to navigate an educational philosophy. Stu- ent opportunities, like creating outdoor signage,
ever-changing world. Students dents engage in project-based processing beef and deer
are not just learning about STEAM learning, where they tackle real- meat, and creating pro-
– they are living it every day in ways world problems through collaborative motional materials. This
that are meaningful, engaging, and transfor- projects that integrate multiple disciplines. gives students practical
mative. By working on these hands-on projects, stu- skills and valuable expe-
The Lemonweir Academy tailors learn- dents not only deepen their understanding of rience.
ing plans to students’ individual strengths, academic concepts, but also develop skills like Olson Middle
interests, and goals. This approach ensures teamwork, communication, and active discov- School’s Makerspace
students are active participants in their edu- ery, preparing them for future success. lab encourages students
to tackle challenges
and solve problems
independently. Olson’s
Makerspace gives stu-
dents access to tools that
they need to make their
ideas happen and allows
teachers to meet cur-
riculum standards in a
way that fosters a love of
learning and creativity.
The Mauston
School District’s com-
mitment to STEAM
education ensures that
students are not only
prepared for future
careers but also inspired
to become lifelong
learners and innovators.
Together, these pro-
grams create a dynamic
and engaging learning
Mr. Hoehn, Technology Education teacher at Olson Middle School,
iLead Charter students use VEX Robotics to problem solve to find a solution to an identified environment that places helping students explore the different types of circuits using SNAP
challenge. Circuits.