By Gerri Miller
Elmore/Autauga News Staff Writer
One student said she feels like she is on a field trip during every visit. Another student said visiting gives her an outlet to do the things she likes to do and sparks her interest in the future. What are these Autauga County students talking about?
It’s Autauga County’s new Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) and Science, Technology Engineering, Art and Math (STEAM) buses. The two buses aren’t in full operation yet, but will travel across the county once in full swing visiting Autauga County classes. This will include Billingsley School, Marbury Middle School, Pine Level Elementary School, Daniel Pratt Elementary School, Prattville Kindergarten, Prattville Primary School, Prattville Elementary School, Prattville Intermediate School and Prattville Junior High School.
Initially, the art bus (STEAM) will visit K-4 schools and the STEM bus will visit students in grades 5-8.
“It’s a way to produce work that matches some of their (the students’) interests,” PJHS Principal Janice Stockman said. “The kids are excited because they are having fun while they are learning.”
It all started six months ago when Stockman asked Dawn Brook, principal of the Autauga County Technology Center, if she would be willing to work with her to make the buses a reality. The Technical Center did the initial work along with the Automotive, Welding and Agriscience classes.
Stockman said workers are currently installing power poles at each of the schools where the buses can hook up for electricity. Students helped with the demolition and all prep work for the buses. One bus has activities inside so that the students can concentrate on science, technology, engineering and math and the second bus concentrates on art.
The buses are colorful and slightly whimsical. The STEM bus includes the Periodic Table of Elements painted on the ceiling and the STEAM bus includes bright flowers.
“It’s actually pretty fun,” said 8th grader Henry Whetstone. “I like the concept of how it was designed. The school district should have fun seeing and being a part of this project.” Whetstone said he wants to be a scientist when he graduates from college.
Eighth grader Jajaviah Tarver said he thinks the project is encouraging. “It is a nice, bright, enclosed environment that is much more energetic and useful than the school’s environment. It makes it easier to learn,” he said.
Another eighth grader, Julia Morris, said she will love visiting because she gets to express her artistic side for a while. “I definitely want to take this somewhere in the future as an artist,” she said. Morris draws both realistic art and cartoons.
The hall outside Stockman’s office is lined with boxed materials for the bus that are ready to go. Many of the art supplies were donated. There is even an awning with table and chairs so that school can expand to an outdoor environment.
Stockman said funding for the buses came together with a grant and many donations. Two Prattville artists – Presley Langley and Ryder Langley – painted some of the art on the buses. Maddie Hughes of Marbury worked on painting the STEM bus. Several teachers helped with the construction, cabinet building and painting.
Some of the art projects are literature-based, pre-packaged art activities that teachers can continue with the students in the classroom, Stockman said. “They may even spark the students to do their own projects,” she said.
“The students aren’t doing it for a grade,” Stockman continued. “They (the buses) are designed for learning. That twinkle you see in their eyes is worth every bit of the work. Those kinds of things matter because it sparks something in kids that allows them to chase their dreams.”
