Our Lady of Lourdes, a member of the Omaha Catholic Consortium, will enhance its middle school science curriculum and student experience thanks to a Ritonya Buscher Poehling grant. Shelley Brown, Our Lady of Lourdes science teacher and a 6-year teaching veteran, was awarded the $960 grant last spring to help purchase a 3D printer for her middle school science classes.
“3D printing covers all aspects of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) curriculum. Students use emerging technology to learn how to design and engineer their own projects using critical math and science concepts,” said Brown. “The possible applications of this technology in the classroom are endless. Moreover, use of this technology helps our students see a future for themselves in a STEM career.”
Cost is one of the greatest barriers to accessing 3D printers for classroom use. Without grant support, Our Lady of Lourdes would not have had the resources available to purchase the printer. Brown has already enacted a plan to provide future funding for printing supplies when the grant funds run out later this school year. The Ritonya Buscher Poehling fund provides mini grants to help metro-area teachers implement their ideas for innovative classroom projects that enhance the teaching profession and learning experience for students.
For more information about the 3D printer or science curriculum, contact: William Kelly, Our Lady of Lourdes principal, or Shelley Brown, science teacher, at 402-341-5604.