GRANT REPORT - MAMMOTH HIGH SCHOOL STEM ENGINEERING CLUB
Walking into John Simeon’s classroom is always a treat! There is a certain magnetism (energy) that is in the air. That is John’s enthusiasm for whatever subject he is teaching and project that he is working on. John loves science and he is passionate about sharing his enthusiasm to the students of Mammoth High School.
The primary purpose of Mammoth High School Robotics or STEM club is to get students interested and engaged with STEM and prepare students for careers in a variety of engineering disciplines. The engineering involved in the club includes mechanical, electrical and computer science.
The Mammoth High School STEM Engineering Club (Robotics Club) is currently getting ready for the 2023-2024 FIRST Tech Challenge season! The FIRST program is one of the largest organizations in the United States that supports STEM projects with the goal of learning project development and engineering skills through annual competitions. Being a part of competitions will directly impact student interest in sciences and math at Mammoth High School and improve student outcomes in those subjects. The skills developed in these endeavors are not limited to STEM. Community outreach, communication, and group work is inherently part of the program. Thus, the program will address many 21st century skills that are needed in the Mammoth Lakes community and society as well.
We had the opportunity to meet with John for an interview. This is what he had to say!
What did you get from the grant and did it serve your student population?
Last year we received funding to assist a wide range of students. The grant funding was meant to be two fold. It supported the start of a Robotics Club at Mammoth High School, and it also allowed for the purchase of lab equipment for the physics department. This lab equipment was used to perform hands-on work with electronics and computer science with the general student population in their physics classes and physical science classes. The robotics team is currently working toward competing in the First Tech Challenge robotics competitions in Nevada.
How did this grant improve the lives of students in regards to having additional equipment to work with?
Students were able to perform hands-on work and experiments with electricity. Students at Mammoth High School are interested in pursuing engineering jobs and also trades jobs that require an understanding of electricity and electrical components. The equipment allowed for the exposure to necessary skills and understanding for both of these groups of students to achieve their goals.
Were the students more able to engage in their lab work and club activities?
Yes, certainly. The physics department has a wide variety of very old laboratory equipment, and a few newer things. Getting new equipment and creating experiments with newly updated equipment is easier to do. At times, older equipment is harder to get to behave consistently for measuring, making good models, and then predicting outcomes effectively. Newer equipment is also naturally more engaging for students.
How did this grant improve the lives of the students and their educational experience?
With any classroom endeavor, it is hoped the students will make connections between real life and the things they do in school. The more this happens, the easier it is to motivate a wider range of students. Mammoth High School has a large range of student interests for future careers. Electronics, robotics, and mechanics are areas where many students have natural interests due to their increasing use in our everyday machines. A student that wants to build and program a robot is really no different than a student who wants to work on a newly manufactured car.
Is there anything that you would like to convey to the donors of MMCF that we can include in this article?
I would like to thank each and every donor for their contributions to our students and to the Mammoth Lakes Community. It truly takes a village. So, please know that every dollar spent has a positive impact on students and this community that can't be measured in those dollars alone. Additionally, the effects of contributions create impacts that compound over time. The future of Mammoth brightens each year because of the vision the MMCF has.
