I was overwhelmed with emotion when the mural was
revealed. I reflected on what had been accomplished in a
span of 8 months. I observed their fear of failure diminish
as students took leadership roles in our project. Self-image
and confidence grew stronger as the kids learned new
skills; presenting their finished product to the public
reinforced their new assurance.
Weeks after the reveal, students, faculty and members of the
community could be found standing in the yard, gazing at the
mural with pride.
Spearheading this enterprise really served to reconnect me to
a part of myself that had been close to burn out. It was a big
project, but the dividends, both for the kids and for me, were
definitely worth it.
VIEW THE VIDEO FROM THIS PROJECT AND SEE MORE DETAILS HERE!
This experience taught many STEAM subjects and in the
process it also taught some valuable lessons about resiliency,
persistence, collaboration, and individual and community pride.
These lessons are reinforced every day the students arrive at
school and see the beautiful mural they created. It is my hope
that these are lessons that will be with them for a lifetime.
Dee Kimbrell is an Educational Play Specialist & Teaching
Artist. She is passionate about igniting the spark of
curiosity in students and teachers that will create lifelong
learners. Dee is the founder of Creative Genius In You, an
educational consulting business and lives in
Hendersonville, TN. To contact Dee, please go to her
website: www.creativegeniusinyou.com
37
NO PERMISSION
REQUIRED: BRINGING
STEAM TO LIFE IN K-12
SCHOOLS
Want evidence of STEAM
working? This practical
book provides case
studies, an
implementation plan and
lessons for K-12 focused
entirely on the integrated
STEAM process.