Henryetta’s STEM program was represented at a national conference this past summer.
The two students attending, Emily Payne and Lottie Johnson, described their trip and what they learned to school board members Monday night.
Both participated in workshops that included designs of a CO2 powered dragster as well as built an environmentaly-friendly house.
“We wrote an essay based on our future hobs in the tech industry,” said Johnson. “This taught us how to become a more confident speaker and stand out in a crowd,” added Payne.
STEM instructor Dominique Tregasser said the conference in Atlanta, Georgia, helped the girls develop their leadership aspects and the group will become more involved in community service. “We started with four girls in Technology Students Association last year. We have 15 now in middle school and six in high school,” she said. That is expected to grow more.
Superintendent Dwayne Noble said he went with students to a STEM summit last week in Tulsa. “When we first kicked off the STEM program four years ago, our goal was to get it in the high school in five years.” He said that is already there. “We are planning a STEM camp that will be open to area schools as well as Henryetta.”
That camp is still in the planning stages but would cover four days in June and be open to all grades from elementary through high school.
Noble said he is trying to get speakers from schools and tech industries to be guests during the camp. “The challenge is to make it challenging enough because others are doing it. “I’m excited,” he said about the STEM program.
Board members were told that plans are being completed for the combined homecoming coronation that will be held later this month.
That will include a parade downtown as well as pep assembly. The homecoming is scheduled for Sept. 28.