Cleveland Magazine Features Laurel on Modernizing STEM in the Classroom
When highlighting how Laurel approaches STEM for a recent Cleveland Magazine piece, Second Grade teacher Mindy Byrnes said, “In grades K to 8, it’s all about integration and exploration”. While Mindy discussed the use of technology in lower grades, she said “The tech is a tool to gain more complex growth-mindset skills, such as realizing progress from hard work.”
In the article, Mindy speaks to Second Grade and their study of natural resources, comparing different regions and how people of the past used those to survive. She also touches on Laurel’s Power and Purpose program, which is taught in Fourth Grade and integrates engineering, math, language arts and more.
Kim Corrigan, former Upper School science teacher, is also featured in the story where she highlights Laurel’s focus on inquiry- and project-based learning that promotes an old-school skill of figuring it out using new tools.
Dr. Jonathan Belding, father of Eve Belding ‘25, was also interviewed for the story. He highlighted the many ways in which Eve has immersed herself in STEM learning with various try-fail-overcome experiences. “She and a few close friends started The Science Sisters and launched the school’s first LEGO League team that went to state finals in year one. Now, Eve is on a project at Case Western Reserve University’s Sears think[box] helping conduct research.”