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Rachel Spivey explains that the team
is not only new to the ELC, but they’re
introducing new programs and resources
to the community, as well. She explained:
“Very soon we will be expanding our
vehicles to a eet of three buses serving
the County. Currently, we have programing
being delivered from the Kiwanis Book
Bus and the STEAM Machine. Soon we
will be adding a third bus that will be
used to expand our STEAM outreach
and include other programs to develop
kindergarten readiness skills.
STEAM curriculum focuses on science,
technology, engineering, the arts, and
math. Promoting STEAM education
gives children the opportunity to attain
essential skills to connect ideas and
integrate knowledge across disciplines,
all the while capturing their attention.
When students participate in activities
that combine different elements of
STEAM, they develop the following
skills under the umbrella of the creative
process: problem-solving creatively,
increasing critical thinking, meaningful
collaboration, formulating plans, and
making observations.
“The technology going into the new
STEAM bus is incredibly exciting,” Rachel
explained. “There’s a unique sound
system, so each of the four table top work
stations will have its own sound capability.
Depending on the lessons or the materials
that we’re working on, we can create
whole-sensory zones of learning. If we’re
studying nature in one area, we can play
the sound of wind resulting through the
trees while children explore leaves in an
art project. At the same time, in another
area we can play classical music to
support creativity while children build.”
The new bus will also have magnetic
walls, modular furniture, and foldaway
tables. There are plans for interactive
projector that will allow for students
to engage with the projections on the
walls and oor of the bus. The team is
developing this capability with LUMOplay
interactive display software.
The Community Engagement team has
developed a program schedule this
year to go out to predominantly VPK
classrooms. Each site will be awarded
four STEAM visits from the STEAM buses,
as well as a Literacy visit from the Book
Bus. The program will reach roughly 50
schools with 100 classrooms serving
1,000 children during a year. With the
growing eet the team plans to increase
these numbers.
The team also utilizes the Book Bus
and STEAM Machine at community
outreach events monthly – including
Manatee County School District’s Soar
In 4 programs. Additionally, the team
attends or supports special events
throughout the community all year round.
The new Community Engagement bus
was provided through the ELC’s strong
partnership with the School District, and
they are grateful for the opportunity to
be able to reach even more of Manatee
County’s youngest learners.
The ELC’s Community Engagement team
is also introducing a new program for early
learning sites called CATCH. CATCH (or
“Coordinated Approach to Child Health”)