Canyon Elementary celebrates legacy of hands-on education

CATALDO –– While it may be a surprise to many that a school as small as Canyon Elementary School would be at the forefront of technology, it’s not surprising why Idaho Gov. Brad Little would be supportive of their efforts. 

"The importance of STEM education in today's technology- and knowledge-based economy cannot be overstated," Gov. Little said. "From logging to computer science, mining to healthcare, or teaching to business, the skills that STEM education fosters will propel Idaho students into high-paying, meaningful careers."

Gov. Little made a proclamation earlier this month deeming that March is STEM Matters Month across the Gem State. Still, for the tiny elementary school in Cataldo, that proclamation is more of an affirmation of their everyday education.

Science, technology, engineering, and math – or STEM schools are educational institutions focusing on different types of hands-on learning that challenge students in the four subjects. 

CES classifies itself as a science-magnet school, so while it’s not technically a STEM school, it emphasizes many of the various aspects of STEM core values.

A magnet school is a type of public school that offers specialized and focused programs or curriculums – oftentimes centered on science, technology, or arts. Because of this, these schools are very popular among students, parents, and educators who appreciate the ability to be innovative within a specialized subject. 

CES is a small K-5 school located 15 miles west of Kellogg, sits alongside I-90, and specifically served the district’s more rural communities, including Cataldo, Rose Lake, Medimont, and the surrounding areas, for several decades. But recently, the district has opened enrollment to allow more children access to the specialized science-based curriculum as long as space permits.

Because of the school’s proclivity to include so much STEM education in its daily curriculum, open spaces are few and far between. 

Principal Jenny Ferreira is pleased that people see the value in what her school has to offer and was grateful for Gov. Little’s support and highlighted its importance to younger students. 

“STEM education is so important for elementary students. It gives them an opportunity to be curious, ask questions, and make discoveries,” She said. “Early exposure to hands-on science and STEM activities helps students develop a love of science and the world around them. I appreciate Governor Little’s support of STEM education for students in Idaho.” 

Beyond just the daily emphasis on science, CES goes above and beyond on a weekly basis to make sure that their students are getting an up-close and personal experience in a variety of different ways. 

“We are always looking for ways to incorporate hands-on science activities into our curriculum,” Ferreira said. “One fun way that we do this is by holding our Science Friday events. These are Fridays throughout the school year where we have different hands-on science stations that kids participate in.”

Ferreira also encourages the school’s parent base, as well as the surrounding community members to help whenever they are available

“Whether it's lending a hand during our Science Friday events or presenting to a classroom, we embrace the opportunity to involve individuals who can bring real-world, science-based insights to our students,” she said. 

The level of real-world science experience available in the Silver Valley is far more vast than anyone could imagine, and oftentimes, digging into the science allows for other subjects, including local history, to come into play. Mining, logging, the surrounding forest, and its wildlife are just the low-hanging fruit that Ferreira can offer her students. Just this school year she has had scientists from Silver Valley Analytical Labs, retired Wallace High School science teacher Nick Hoffman, Steve Dahl from Idaho-based company Computer Zen, and Spokane’s Radical Rick are just a few of the special guests the school has hosted this year as part of their Science Friday events. 

Dahl, who was at CES earlier this month, operates a nonprofit called STEAM World – the “A” incorporating Arts into the more traditional STEM – and through this he offers in-depth presentations on technological advancements and how they can be applied in the real world. 

His presentation was a thought-provoking hit for the students. 

Ferreira explained that Dahl’s presentation focused on new technologies in prosthetic limb development, exposing students to the latest advancements in the field.

The students also got to experience a new invention, the Makey Makey. 

“This innovative device transforms ordinary objects into touchpads using alligator clips and a Chromebook,” Ferreira explained. “Students explored the capabilities of Makey Makey, connecting it to various conductive objects such as themselves, playdough, graphite pencil lead, and more. Through these connections, they turned everyday items into interactive touchpads, including playing the piano directly through their Chromebooks.”

Dahl also introduced the students to a robot that he has developed that uses artificial intelligence to familiarize and adapt to its surroundings. 

“The interactive session not only exposed students to cutting-edge technologies but also sparked curiosity and enthusiasm for the limitless possibilities within the realm of STEM,” Ferreira said. 

While the numerous opportunities that Canyon has made available to the students are incredible and invaluable, they are also not free and not cheap. 

The Kellogg School District doesn’t fund all of the school’s endeavors – this is one of the incredibly unique aspects of the school and a perfect demonstration of why STEM matters. 

“We fund many of these opportunities through our parent group, the Canyon School Organization,” Ferreira said. “One of the hallmarks of Canyon Elementary is the culture of parent involvement. We have always been fortunate to have a strong parent group who works diligently to support the science endeavors at Canyon. From the dynamic Science Fridays to the captivating Radical Rick presentations, educational field trips, and the Birds of Prey presentation, the funds generated by the annual Ham and Turkey Dinner play a vital role in supporting these invaluable ‘extras’ for Canyon students. This sustained financial support ensures that our students continue to benefit from a well-rounded and engaging educational environment.”

    Retired high school science teacher Nick Hoffman explains to students about chlorophyll and why leaves change color in the fall.