As part of the STEM Education initiative at West Fannin Elementary, the 5^th Grade students at WFES visited the homestead of Dr. Gilda Lyon on October 21st.  Dr. Lyon is the STEM Coordinator for the Georgia Department of Education.  The WFES 5^th Grade students are assisting Dr. Lyon in the design of a sophisticated treehouse.  The students took notes on the qualities that must be present in the treehouse and will now begin creating architectural plans and three-dimensional prototypes.  Then, the students will present their prototypes to Dr. Lyon.  The group that presents the prototype that best fits Dr. Lyon’s dream for her treehouse will have their prototype chosen by Dr. Lyon.  This process fits in perfectly with 5^th Grade’s STEM theme of tiny house and treehouse design.

Dr. Lyon educating our 5th grade students

Several West Fannin Elementary teachers attended the annual STEM Forum in Athens, GA on October 24^th and 25th. The teachers will bring back knowledge and skills that will help WFES with its STEM education initiative. One teacher at WFES will also bring back $300.  4th grade social studies teacher Mrs. Tori Arp won a grant for $300 dollars by writing three creative sentences on how she would use $300 in her classroom.

WFES principal Mr. Lucas Roof, GA Department of Education STEM Coordinator Dr. Gilda Lyon, and Mrs. Tori Arp

West Fannin’s Garden Club are called the “Power Planters”, this is from their October, 18^th meeting.

L to R: Alexia Bennett, Jennifer Cheramie, Will Allen, Master Gardner Flora Grindstaff

Our Power Planters collected data about the different apples just as a scientist would collect data. Apples were cored, peeled, and sliced using apple coring machines. Power Planters assisted with the preparation of apples. Data gathered included color, shape, outside texture, inside texture, juiciness, and taste of each apple. Power Planters rotated through four different apple tasting centers: Mutzu, Arkansas Black, Fuji and Rome Beauty. Crackers were eaten in between each center to clear palates. Students shared their data on each apple as a wrap-up. Master Gardner Sally Crawford ran the lesson.