The annual Pana Education Foundation showcase kicked off on Friday, May 2nd, highlighting innovative educational initiatives across the district. The event featured six dynamic presentations, allowing attendees to experience a variety of interactive learning activities from this year's mini-grant recipients.
Pana Elementary's Kim Hahnenkamp and students presented the "Wonderful World of Robots," showcasing how the robotics of Dash and Dot can engage young learners.
Next, Jennifer Cross and her fourth grade students demonstrated Sphero's "Indi Robots," illustrating the fundamentals of coding through hands-on robot interactions. Students had to adjust their patterns on the spot in order to complete certain circuits. What a great way to showcase problem solving and collaboration skills in real time!
At the junior high level, Ashley Keeling offered a glimpse into 3D Printing in the Modern Classroom, revealing the possibilities of this cutting-edge technology in education and how she used it to create engaging Sphero Bolt chariot races to integrate coding with 3D print design.
Gayle Perry took a different approach with "Strategic Board Games (Unplugged)," emphasizing the value of traditional games in developing critical thinking skills. Sarah Williams brought science to life with "Hands-On Science!" demonstrating engaging practical experiments.
Representing Pana High School, Amanda Skinner, along with select students from her Technology Applications class, highlighted the ITSavvy Owner Repair Program. Students in the class are responsible for in-house Chromebook repair and the students presented techniques, skills, and tasks they had learned as a part of this program.
The PEF showcase provided a valuable opportunity for educators, students, and community PEF Business Sponsors to witness the creative and forward-thinking approaches being implemented in our schools.