Using multiple recruiting methods, GlenOak High School STEM was able to successfully recruit more students and get their numbers back up.
STEM teachers noticed their numbers of students dropping so they started using different methods like social media and promoting STEM to increase their numbers.
Within the last couple years, the STEM teachers made social media accounts to influence incoming freshmen to join STEM. They also did “news worthy activities” and when students saw these activities they were doing, it immediately drew interest.
“We also had a speaker series last year where we had a falconer who brought a raptor and also a veterinarian who brought a rabbit and a snake,” said 9th grade English STEM teacher Angela Beshore..
Beshore explained the main reason STEM’s numbers dropped is because the schedule is hard to work around, especially for students taking larger arts classes. If STEM doesn’t have enough students for both A-day and B-day, students participating won’t be able to do their co-curricular activities, extracurricular activities like dance and band.
“It’s more even this year, but in the past, it’s been like a huge difference between A-day and B-day numbers.One of the beautiful things about GlenOak, is we have so many opportunities, but there’s just not enough time to do everything you want to do, and then you end up having to choose,” Beshore said.
STEM can improve major skills that will come into effect in the future and make it more comfortable when speaking in front of people and push through failures to get the project finished.
“There are probably many students who have moments where they’re like, “Why did I do this to myself?” But one of the things that we try to preach is that you learn through failure, you don’t have to get it right the first time,” Beshore said.
Freshman, Serena Dumea had enjoyed her time in STEM so far.
“I actually have no regret taking it at all. I really improved on a lot of things, especially learning how to not procrastinate, because that really teaches you a good lesson not to do that,” Dumea said.
While most classes can be viewed as long and boring, STEM teachers try to turn classes or assignments into a fun project for students.
“I would venture to guess Mr. Limbaugh does more science experiments than any other science teacher in this building, and Mr. Kimbough teaches things that no one else does. I mean, it’s just we’re a unique group,” Beshore said.
Dumea goes on to explain one of her experiences with STEM teachers making their classes different from ordinary classes.
“I think being able to actually see it and being able to do an actual experiment helps explain what happens a lot easier. It’s easier to remember and it’s easier to follow along. We kind of did experiments on the smallest things,” Dumea said.
