When most people hear “hot glue guns” and “paper towel rolls” they think of an arts and crafts project. But in STEM, those everyday items people may call junk are being used to help students learn. STEM is a class for students to extend their knowledge in science, technology, engineering, and math. Students in STEM develop a better understanding of their surroundings by learning about things like DNA and cells, using a more hands-on approach. 

Eighth graders in Mr. Oster’s STEM class were challenged to make a life-like 3D replica of DNA out of just a few items that people could find around their house. “We used a paper towel tube, a manilla folder, colored markers, and a hot glue gun,” said eighth grader Aidan McCorkal. This project had very few and easy steps, “We cut the paper towel tube into fourths and then used two of the pieces. Then we marked up the manilla folder to make the nitrogen bases. Next, we marked the paper towel tube pieces as the sugar and phosphate backbone. Finally, we glued the nitrogen bases to the sugar. This made a full DNA strand,” said eighth grader Grace Vining.

Not only do students enjoy the fun labs they do with their peers, but they learn to apply their knowledge to things in everyday life. “I have learned so much in STEM whether it is about communication, DNA, or how people can clone animals and humans,” added Vining.

Though STEM is an optional class, it is a very important subject that can also help students in the future. “[STEM] is a very important aspect of living in today’s tech world. STEM will be the most important aspect of the student’s job market as they leave college. 80% of jobs will be STEM based” said MS Science Department Chair/Math Teacher, Mr. Oster. As technology continues to evolve and is used more and more, students in STEM or who have been in STEM will thrive.