Horizons Students Explore STEM with Hands-On Enrichment

This summer, Horizons at SCH students dove into the exciting worlds of engineering, robotics, and nutrition, thanks to a series of hands-on enrichment programs. Led by dedicated volunteers, these activities are providing students with new skills, boosting their confidence, and demonstrating that learning can be both fun and constructive.

Engineering and Design

Students recently worked with Kristopher Powell, an architect and Horizons at SCH board member, on a variety of design projects. From designing personal logos to building and racing propeller cars, students showcased remarkable creativity and innovation, bringing their ideas to life in every assignment.

Robotics and Coding

Horizons scholars also explored robotics with Dr. Daniel Jacobs, chair of Engineering and Robotics at SCH. Third and 4th graders learned to program LEGO robots, while students in kindergarten through 2nd grade were introduced to coding concepts through a hands-on maze activity. The week culminated in a visit to Dr. Jacobs's robotics lab in the Upper School, where students learned about the FIRST competition and saw 1218's robot, Surge, in action.

"Watching these young students light up as they program a robot or see a large-scale machine in action is what it's all about," says Jacobs. "Robotics and coding aren't just about technology; they're about problem-solving, collaboration, and seeing how your ideas can come to life. These are skills that will empower them for years to come.”

Nutrition and Science

In their nutrition class, students learned about the vital role protein plays in a healthy diet. Taking their learning from theory to practice, they became both scientists and smart consumers in a hands-on lab. Using pipettes and test tubes, students analyzed protein levels in everyday food items and compared their results to nutrition labels to investigate the accuracy of packaging claims. To conclude the week, they created informative posters to showcase their findings.

"I love enrichment because we learn so much about each topic, and we have fun,” says Karter Jackson, a Horizons at SCH student. “My favorite enrichment was Nutrition, because we got to learn about the sugar content that is in our food."