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STEM and the power of planning Students meet Detroit Lion Don Carey to talk science and goals
Don Carey , Detroit Lions football player , and his wife recently met with students from Lebanon Road Elementary thanks to several faith partnerships . New Beginnings Church , Wilson Grove Baptist Church , Joy Christian Fellowship and Encounter Prayer & Worship Center worked collaboratively to bring the Careys to the students . The couple met with third- , fourth- and fifth-grade students to speak to them about Science , Technology , Engineering and Mathematics ( STEM ).
Carey told students how his father had encouraged him to write his goals on notecards , which he taped to the ceiling of his bedroom .
“ I went to bed and woke up reading those goals each day ,” Carey said . “ My father taught me to set short- , mid- and long-term goals . It has served me well . I ’ ve exceeded them so far . Writing them down seems simple but sticking to them is hard . There will be distractions but this will help to keep you focused .”
Carey has a degree in buildingconstruction technology . He and his wife , LaKeisha , who is an attorney , work together to promote STEM studies .
“ The STEM sector is growing but the workforce is not ,” said Carey . “ It ’ s important for students to know what kind of career options they can have in this field .”
The day began with a tower challenge for the third-graders . The students were assigned to teams and given a paper bag , six washers , tape , paper , wooden tongue depressors and pipe cleaners . They were instructed to use the materials to build the tallest freestanding tower that could support the weight of the washers . Carey and volunteer high school students , including two from Independence , supported the students during the activity and throughout the day .
“ Trying to make it stand after adding the washers is the most challenging part ,” said student Xavier Schultz . “ But I like trying to figure it out .”
Students were also treated to music by artist and music producer Dae- Lee . During an open mic , they came up with their own raps .
Next , Carey took a moment to speak with the fourth- and fifth-graders before their scheduled breakout sessions on goal-setting . He told them math was a universal language and that science , technology and engineering all use math .
Mrs . Carey led a session where she spoke to the girls about following their dreams and creating vision boards to attain those dreams . She told them about her career and a children ’ s book she ’ d written called Cankeyo : You Can Keep Your Dreams Alive . The title is a combination of the main characters Candice , Keisha and Yolanda . The story is about three friends who want to be a teacher , a lawyer and a nurse when they grow up and how they accomplish their goals despite challenges .
“ Think about what you want to be when you grow up and how are you going to get there ,” Mrs . Carey told the students . “ There are dream-killers and haters out there but you have to believe in yourself and encourage yourself .”
Fourth-grader Olivia Davies took the Careys ’ messages to heart .
“ I want to be a photographer , which requires math . You need to know ratios , measurements and fractions ,” said Olivia . “ Now , I want to print and cut out pictures so I can start a vision board and set my goals .”
Kate Phifer , Lebanon ’ s dean of students , was grateful for the opportunity the school ’ s faith partners had given the students .
“ Sometimes students don ’ t realize STEM has so many possibilities , even though our teachers make those visible connections and reinforce it in the classroom ,” said Phifer , Lebanon dean of students . “ So when you bring in an athlete who loves science to speak with them , it reinforces what we are showing and telling them .”
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336-908-4866 • www . blinsonair . com
Parent Teacher Magazine • May / June 2017 • 10