These are STEAM specific links that we either use, or are in line with what we do at school. Hopefully you can find something interesting and fun on this list!

We continue to get to know some of our fabulous STEAM teachers. Today we’ll introduce you to Julia Buergari. Julia is is teaching math projects classes at The STEAM School, and also leads the filmmaking elective.
How did you first find out about the STEAM School?
JB: I ran into our old music teacher at the library and we started talking about homeschooling. She was familiar with STEAM and told me more about it.
How have you been involved in the past, and what role(s) are you filling this year?
JB: Last semester I taught theater classes and the math games elective. This year I am teaching math projects and filmmaking.
Julia’s 2019/20 Class Descriptions:
Math Projects – In this class, we will be exploring the beauty of math in nature, discovering how math surrounds us and using key math concepts to solve real world problems. The topics covered this year include patterns, data collection and graphing, probability, logic, geometry and economics. Every class will include a mini-lesson on the topic being covered and a hands-on project that connects the abstract concept to the real world. From creating tessellation artwork to making an economically sound business plan, we are going to have lots of fun in Math Projects this year!
Filmmaking – In the filmmaking elective class, we will be exploring the art of filmmaking through viewing, critiquing and creating 5×5 films. The 5×5 film is a montage of 5-five second shots around a specific theme. Each class will film and edit a whole group 5×5 film with the option of creating their own at home to share with the class. Composition, editing and effective critique techniques will be incorporated throughout. I am so excited to see what the children create!
What is your favorite thing about teaching at STEAM?
JB: The community!
What is your background/experience with the topics you’ll be teaching?
JB: Math is my first love, and one of my majors in college was art history with a concentration in filmmaking
Any sneak peeks you can share about what the learners in your class might be working on this semester?
JB: Shark Tank!
Tell us a little about your personal interests/hobbies.
JB: I enjoy coaching soccer, yoga, travel and camping.
What is one goal you have for yourself and/or your students in this school year?
JB: To discover the beauty of math!
We continue to get to know some of our fabulous STEAM teachers. Today we’ll introduce you to Beth Herz. Beth is is teaching Coding and Robotics classes at The STEAM School, and also leads the Yoga and Board Games electives.
How did you first find out about the STEAM School?
BH: I learned of the STEAM School through its founder, Elena McIntosh. Our paths had crossed a year or two before, and I learned through a Facebook posting that she was starting a cooperative school. I went to a meet up to learn more about it but decided at first not to participate. We were comfortable in our routine, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to change it. About three months after the meetup though, I learned of the Coding and Robotics class being offered. My oldest son has a strong interest in robots so we decided to come on the day that the robots class was offered. We were almost immediately pulled in by the sense of community we received from the school, and by the next semester, we were fully involved all three days.
How have you been involved in the past, and what role(s) are you filling this year?
BH: Previously, I have assisted and lead in the nursery. Last semester I filled in as the Coding and Robotics, and Kindergarten teacher, and led the Handworks and Book Club electives. This year I will be continuing as the Coding and Robotics teacher, and leading the Yoga and Board Games electives.
What is your favorite thing about teaching at STEAM?
BH: Seeing the kids share knowledge with each other. Whether it’s sharing how something works or how to draw a character, it’s always gratifying.
What is your background/experience with the topics you’ll be teaching?
BH: My background is not in tech! I filled in to teach Coding and Robotics out of necessity in spring of 2019. My children are fascinated with robotics and I wanted to ensure this class remained available. I also knew just a little bit of how the Lego WeDo 2.0 kits worked from filling in as an assistant teacher when needed. Over the past semester and summer, I’ve learned quite a bit more about how the kits work and found many resources offered through Lego and Scratch Jr for how and why to teach kids robotics and coding.
Any sneak peeks you can share about what the learners in your class might be working on this semester?
BH: This semester we’ll be using more of the tools offered through the Lego WeDo 2.0 app. We know how to build the robots and we know how to code the robots. There is a Document tool that we haven’t utilized yet. My hope is that by utilizing this tool, students can more easily record their processes and share what they learn with each other.
Tell us a little about your personal interests/hobbies.
BH: I like to read fiction, and enjoy doing handcrafts. I’ve crocheted for almost 20 years and have just picked up cross stitch and embroidery over the past year. I occasionally practice yoga and play guitar.
What is one goal you have for yourself and/or your students in this school year?
BH: One goal I have for myself and my students is to become more familiar with, and comfortable using, the vocabulary of coding and robotics.
Let’s continue to get to know some of our fabulous STEAM teachers. Today we’ll introduce you to Tamara Fickling. Tamara is is teaching Science classes at The STEAM School, and also assists with the Ceramics elective.
How did you first find out about The STEAM School?
TF: I found out about STEAM from a Open House Event posted on Facebook. It was funny, because I had met with the founder several years prior about starting a Co-op. Soon after, she discovered she was pregnant and put the idea on hold. It was great to see it come to fruition!
How have you been involved in the past, and what role(s) will you be filling this coming school year?
TF: In the past I assisted in classes where ever I could. This year I will be leading in the Science class and assisting in the Ceramics class. Science will rotate between Life Science, Nature of Matter and Earth and Space.
What is your favorite thing about teaching at STEAM?
TF: I think my favorite thing about teaching at STEAM will be making classes fun! It will be a challenge not to bore the children with too many facts and allow them to experience science!
What is your background/experience with the topic you’ll be teaching?
TF: In college I took many science classes and worked at a children’s nature center guiding students in an outdoor setting covering the Virginia SOLS. I also taught science grades 6-12 at a Waldorf based school for several years in Sperryville. One of my passions, although I have not been able to keep up with it lately, is pottery. I also taught a ceramics class at the school I worked at.
Any sneak peeks you can share about what learners in your class might be working on this coming semester?
TF: I plan on having a lot of fun games and projects. We’ll start out with learning how we classify living things.
Tell us a little about your personal interests/hobbies.
TF: I am a nature nerd! I love going for walks and finding things and learning about them. Whether it’s a new mushroom or bug I love learning new things.
What is one goal you have for yourself and/or your students this school year?
TF: One goal I have is developing great relationships with the students.
As we get ready to start the new school year, let’s continue to get to know some of our fabulous STEAM teachers. Today we’ll introduce you to Lyndsey Pheister.
Lyndsey is one of the faces you’ll see most often around the STEAM school, and is a Coordinator on our leadership team. In addition to all of her operational and administrative tasks, Lyndsey will also be teaching art classes at STEAM this semester.
How did you first find out about The STEAM School?
LP: I heard about it through some of the families who were starting it. Their values and mission echoed my own philosophies about home education. I have four boys, and we were looking for a community where they could have friendships and feel some independence and ownership of their education, but where we could still have flexibility in our curriculum choices and schedule.
How have you been involved in the past, and what role(s) will you be filling this coming school year?
LP: I started the first year as a volunteer in the nursery and as a sub, and started teaching and helping on our leadership team last year, and stepped in as interim coordinator in the spring. This year I will continue teaching art, helping in coding and robotics, and will continue on as co-coordinator along with Laurel Blackmon.
What is your favorite thing about teaching at STEAM?
LP: I know everyone says the kids, but they are seriously the best. The kids have moved up in their classes together over the past three years, and it’s been awesome to watch them grow together. Beyond that, I love that we have a small community, not just for kids, but for parents too, where everyone comes together despite their diverse backgrounds, learning styles and opinions. I love that we help make homeschooling either more possible, or a richer experience for our families. We get to be a bridge that connects parent talents, resources and experiences, which is really valuable.
What is your background/experience with the topic you’ll be teaching?
LP: I fell in love with art and the art world in high school and majored in fine arts in college with a focus on painting and a minor in art history. After college I taught painting and drawing in community classes (including with other homeschool groups), and did private instruction. I also ran a business designing and creating messenger bags with custom artwork on the flaps. I’m currently working on landscape and macro photography, but still take time to paint, draw, sculpt and sew to make samples for class projects.
Any sneak peeks you can share about what learners in your class might be working on this coming semester?
LP: This year we’ll be looking at how art helps us with big ideas. We’ll start by looking at the creative process and how to generate new ideas when your brain feels stuck. Then we’ll see how we can use things like light and color to create a mood, and to express feelings. We’ll end the semester by looking at identity, to see how art can be used to express who we are. I’m really excited about a field trip we have planned near Thanksgiving to go to the Hirshhorn Museum in DC, because they have an interactive robot museum guide, and also because the whole museum is full of art that expresses big ideas.
Tell us a little about your personal interests/hobbies.
LP: I love to get out in the woods, either by myself or as a family, so anything related to that. We like to go camping and backpacking on the weekends to find hidden waterfalls or a mountain peak with a great view. I’m mom to four boys, so most of my week day free time is spent with them, or shuttling them to friends houses or sports.
What is one goal you have for yourself and/or your students in this coming school year?
LP: Picasso famously said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” My goal is to help them understand how they are each artists now, in the hope that they’ll still believe it about themselves as they get older. A big part of that is helping kids to be encouraged instead of discouraged by their mistakes, which is good general advice too, I think.
Let’s get to know some of our fabulous STEAM teachers starting with Laurel Blackmon.
Laurel was the first person to greet my family when we visited STEAM for the first time in January of 2019, and both of my kids adore her! This year Laurel is both a Coordinator on STEAM’s Leadership team, and STEAM’s PreK-1st Curriculum Organizer.
How did you first find out about The STEAM School?
LB: I think it randomly popped up on Facebook initially for me. I had been looking for a co-op or a meet-up for our family with no success-they were either too unstructured or religious or just philosophically misaligned with our educational priorities. STEAM found us, I suppose 🙂
How have you been involved with STEAM in the past, and what role(s) will you be filling this coming school year?
LB: I taught creative writing and K-1 last year. This year, I will teach PreK-1st grade math, PreK-1st grade literacy, and creative writing. I’ll also lead morning meetings with a lot of emphasis on building social skills, creating a positive learning community, and anti-bias work.
What is your favorite thing about teaching at STEAM?
LB: I love the kids! They are wonderful company, and I love connecting with them and learning with them. I also love that we can foster learning through play and facilitation and not be constrained by the expectations and traditions of school. For our family, it’s been a wonderful balance of intentional design and student-led experiences. We can be responsive to individual kids while also leading them toward goals that we have for them.
What is your background/experience with the topics you’ll be teaching?
LB: I’ve taught reading, math, and writing at most grade levels PreK-8th at some point as well as overseen instructional practices and written curriculum at those grade levels and disciplines. I lead staff development on Responsive Classroom through my consulting work with schools, so that’s an area of particular passion; morning meeting and its associated practices are wonderful for a community. As far as anti-bias work goes, that is my life’s work. Supporting little kids as they learn about the world, its diversity, and its inequity was the focus of my dissertation. That’s also the primary focus of my consulting work with schools. I’m so thankful that I get to do this directly with students as well as help teachers in school settings.
Any sneak peeks you can share about what learners in your class might be working on this coming semester?
LB: Lots of play! For the PreK-1st graders, we have mapped out the year and planned some centers that let them explore concepts in meaningful, age-appropriate, and fun ways. We also have ideas for projects that are grounded in real life (cooking, sewing, creating plays, etc). We have left quite a bit of space for the kids to lead, as well, and let the curriculum emerge a little.
For the creative writing classes, we are leaning on Bravewriter for ideas, but also have left lots of room for student-initiated projects. Emily and I are interested in pursuing some activism work with the 4th-6th graders, and for the younger ones, perhaps some writing about art. We will see where they lead us!
Tell us a little about your personal interests/hobbies.
LB: I love to read novels and have indulged in that quite a bit this summer. I also love running, hiking, walking, cooking, and, in a less busy time in my life, I loved to make art and sew. It’s been quite a while since I’ve done that, though, unless you count crafting with kids.
I am active in social justice work, as well, which takes on several different forms. My work with schools is the primary avenue for this, but we also attend political events as a family and campaign when possible. I anticipate being more active this year in preparation for the 2020 election.
What is one goal you have for yourself and/or your students in this coming school year?
LB: Slowing down for deep learning, spending time lingering on ideas-for all of us. Since I come from a school teaching and administration background, the pressure to “cover” topics and curriculum is often present for me. This year, I want to let that go, focus on a simpler set of goals for the kids, and spend most of my time learning alongside them.
If you attended STEAM’s end of year Student Showcase, you may have seen artwork, sculpture, robots, creative stories, informational displays, comics, and more. STEAM students each decked out their personal display areas with favorite creations from the 2018-2019 school year and it looked something like this:
I was able to interview several students at the Student Showcase and find out the answer to this question:
What was your favorite thing about STEAM School this year?
I told them it could be ANYTHING, and here were some of the responses:
“Baking sugar cookies.”
“The forts!”
“Comics”
“Coding and Robotics class.”
“Making boats out of cardboard and duct tape.”
“Swinging in the hammock.”
“Science…and all the nature!”
“Programming with Lego WeDo”
“Making the yearbook.”
“Having lunch and being with my friends.”
and
“Everything!”
Have a great summer and we’ll see you in September!
If your child has participated in STEAM’s Hand Works elective offered on Wednesdays this spring, you may have seen or heard about a creation that looks something like this:
I was pretty impressed when my eight year old was able to show me how to weave on one of these cardboard looms when I visited STEAM in March. Having been through some craft projects at home requiring a lot of adult assistance, she was able to weave solo on her loom. She worked on it for weeks, and even brought it home to finish it with zero encouragement (nagging) from me.
She is envisioning dolls blankets, mini table cloths, Calico Critter rugs, and more!
What would your child create with a hand-woven creation?
My sources tell me that Mrs. Beth helped the kids create these simple and inexpensive looms using cardboard and string, and showed them the weaving process. From there, they were free to create their own patterns using a variety of different yarn colors and textures.
No worries about pricked fingers! Since kids have an option of using a blunt plastic needle, or their fingers with this weaving project, it is accessible for even the youngest weavers.
Have your kids pre-cut yarn pieces to appropriate lengths, and bring their looms along for a road trip, or entertainment for those days when they have to come along to that appointment where the dentist fixes the front tooth you chipped on a fork (I’m a voracious eater).
I had a chance to weave alongside STEAM kids, and definitely found it to be a relaxing and satisfying activity — definitely something you can enjoy along with your kids.
Interested in doing this at home? It is super easy.
Here is a great video that will get you started in just a few minutes!
STEAM School parents know that outdoor time is a highlight of each day at co-op. Our kids employ sticks, rocks, hammocks, pallets and more to enhance their time outdoors. Whether they are building forts, playing capture the flag, or immersed in their own creative game or pretend play, nature, found items, and imagination are all that is needed to delight and learn!
With one self-proclaimed ‘indoor boy’ and one who would probably live with the fox family in our back yard if I (and they) would let her, I am a parent who is very interested in outdoor play.
My research started with Playborhood: Turn Your Neighborhood Into a Place for Play and more recently I have been learning about Adventure Playgrounds through lots of articles online. We love the idea of creating a backyard environment where the kids can play and create outside.
And we don’t want to spend thousands doing it.
As summer approaches my family has come up with an idea to set the scene in our backyard without breaking the bank.
A Dirt Pile. Because: mud pies, dirt stews, holes, excavating barbie mummies and the like.
I’m not sure how we don’t have this yet and I scolded myself when I discovered that our house is essentially a dirt-less destination. Sure we have dirt, but it isn’t easily accessible with the grass (weeds) growing on top. I’ve thought about an obstacle course, a maker space and other outdoor oasis (time consuming) ideas for the kids, but a dirt pile? That’s doable.
Next question: Where will the dirt come from?
If you have a project for the summer like a patio or other undertaking that will result in some extra/displaced dirt, you are all set! We are looking for a mini dirt mountain, so we are going to see if a couple of grading projects we are getting estimates on can relocate our valuable dirt for kid enjoyment. You can also check with construction sites or residential projects in your area if you have a truck and can haul away dirt and save them the trouble. If not, local garden supply and nurseries offer dirt in various amounts from bags to truck loads if paying for dirt doesn’t hurt you like it hurts me.
I’ve lived places where the HOA would have been all over me for a dirt pile. If you are in that situation, consider a dirt box. This is likely going to be smaller, so you might spring for the high quality dirt or ‘soil’ as us dirt snobs like to call it.
What goes with dirt? Here are some of the low budget accessories to add to your dirt pile:
Looking for dirt pile inspiration? Try these articles:
On Monday, April 1st, 2019, STEAM families had an opportunity to visit the Warrenton Wastewater Treatment Plant for a tour of the facility.
It was unseasonably cold and windy, so the predominantly outdoor tour was brisk, however, according to our tour guide, the cold weather decreases some of the less pleasant smells that are sometimes detected at the plant.
Originally built in 1958 with major upgrades in 1978 and 1990, the plant has since added an ultra-violet disinfection system and nutrient removal upgrades costing close to 8 million dollars!
Our tour guide walked us through all of the equipment the water passes through from the time it enters the facility to when it leaves the facility, and explained the purpose of each. We could actually see where the water runs into a nearby stream right after the ultra-violet disinfection.
Finally we went inside and got to peek at the lab where our guide described some of the tests they do on the water to make sure the equipment is performing properly, and talked about some of the jobs his coworkers have.
Looking for more resources on this topic?
My kids and I listened to a fun podcast the week before the trip to learn a bit more about the topic. If you are sensitive to potty talk or want to discourage it with your kids, I’d skip this one. Otherwise, they will probably love it like my kids did!
Brains On! : Flush! Where does our poo and pee go?
My husband forwarded me this article after our trip. It looks at the asset side of wastewater. Who knew?
Wastewater is an asset, with nutrients, energy and precious metals — and scientists are learning how to recover themh
If you are interested in the treatment process for the clean water coming into your house, this video from New Jersey is a good starting place.
Water and You: The Water Treatment Process
Leave a reply at the end of this post if you have found a good resource you’d like to share for learning more about water treatment or the water cycle.