NEW MARKET — New Market Elementary School has begun raising money for a STEAM playground and science park.
The school announced plans last fall to transform the current playground into a recreational area with a garden, playground structures, an outdoor classroom and a fitness course giving students hands-on lessons in science, technology, engineering arts and math.
“We also want to have a community tie where [students] can see some of the jobs that are local to Montgomery County and start learning some of those basic skills for some of those jobs,” principal Brittany Cooper said.
The school hopes to raise $235,000 through student fundraisers, grants and community sponsorships.
More information about supporting the project can be found at www.southmontschools.org/steam-playground-fundraiser. If you know of a grant or other funding source, contact Cooper at brittany.cooper@southmont.k12.in.us.
The playground is the latest project to enhance STEAM-related education at New Market in recent years. The school’s Invention Convention challenged students to create products to make everyday activities easier. A “Code Night” introduced families to basic computer programming techniques.
“The goal is to create a recreational space that continues the educational themes we strive to teach in all of our classrooms,” Superintendent Dr. Shawn Greiner said when the project was announced last fall.
A planning committee of parents, staff and community stakeholders was formed to research the equipment and technology.
The committee partnered with Purdue Extension for tips on incorporating gardening into the school. The school has talked about garden-to-table experiences where students are taught how to cook with ingredients picked from the garden.
The group also consulted with a local architect who worked on another STEAM playground in Indiana. As funding is secured for each phase of the project, installation will begin.
“Our teachers are excited, our students are excited to create an opportunity for the kids to really be engaged in project-based learning in the school,” Cooper said.
