Summer learning programs in Goddard Public Schools offer students far more than just academic enrichment - they provide gateways to discovery and hands-on exploration that keeps young minds engaged during the break from traditional classroom routines. USD 265’s STEM Academy, hosted at Explorer Elementary School, exemplifies this by transforming summer days into adventures in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Through carefully crafted activities that blend education with excitement, students from across the district come together to explore the world in fun and creative ways that spark curiosity and engagement.
In Hallie Rausch's 2nd Grade level summer classroom, creativity meets scientific inquiry through projects like the “habitat pyramids.” Rausch, who typically teaches 3rd Grade at Oak Street Elementary School during the school year, brings her passion for hands-on learning to the summer program, guiding students through explorations of diverse ecosystems around the globe. Using simple materials (paper, glue, and colored pencils) groups of four students research, illustrate, and construct pyramids showcasing habitats from lush rainforests to frozen tundra, vast grasslands to arid deserts.
"I picked the desert habitat because I like the animals in it - like snakes, scorpions, camels, and armadillos," shares Santino, an Earhart student whose enthusiasm for desert wildlife shines through his carefully crafted pyramid section. Meanwhile, Eden from Oak Street chose the ocean habitat, explaining, "My favorite habitat that I picked was the ocean, because there's still so much to learn. Like the really deep and dark levels of the water, where you can't see anything."
The magic of discovery extends beyond habitat pyramids to experiments that bring scientific principles to life before students' eyes. The wheatgrass growing project demonstrates the essential elements plants need to thrive by having students cultivate grass under different conditions - some with sun and water, others with only sun or only water, and some with neither. "The grass project is really cool because we got to actually watch it grow," explains Santino, while his classmate Logan from Apollo marvels, "The grass was growing right in front of our eyes!" For Ella, the fourth and final team member and also from Apollo, the experience connects her to something larger, "The grass growing made me feel like a farmer!" These simple yet profound experiments spark curiosity that extends far beyond the classroom walls, as evidenced by Logan's excited sharing of ocean facts: "We've only discovered 4% of the deep sea, so there's so much left to learn. And did you know that gorillas make nests in trees that are strong enough to support them?!"
The true value of summertime programming like the USD 265 STEM Academy lies not just in the knowledge students gain, but in the sense of wonder and scientific thinking they develop. As Ella reflected, "I think it's fun to see different habitats, there are animals we may not know about, and get to discover...like reptiles! I love reptiles." Through programs like these, Goddard Public Schools ensures that summer learning becomes a bridge to lifelong curiosity, where members of our #265Family don't just learn about the world - they become active explorers of it, equipped with the tools and enthusiasm to keep discovering long after they walk across the stage at graduation.