Video: Noble Elementary Teachers and Students Benefit from Science Grant

At Noble Elementary School in Golden Valley, a group of 4th grade students received some hands-on experience last week in the laws of how heat moves from place to place.

The exercise is possible because of a $12,000 grant the school received from the organization Region 11, which provides teachers such as Jackie Smith with the training the need to teach engineering processes to students.

"It's something that we need to know how to teach," Smith said. And it's not something we necessarily have a lot of experience with as classroom teachers."

Smith says it's important for students to know the engineering process not only because they'll eventually need that knowledge in their science curriculum, but because it prepares them for a career in engineering or anything that involves problem-solving.

"These processes are very, very valuable," Smith said.

Last Tuesday, Nov. 23, Smith had a group of students English Language Learning students construct small habitats out of things such as aluminum foil and paper cupcake holders. Inside the shelters were small, ice cube-shaped penguins. The goal for the students was to protect the ice cubes from the heat.

Smith says she works with that particular group of students on a daily basis, and she's seen the program pay off.

"I'm really excited for teaching this way because science is such a fun language for everyone," Smith said. "And for students who might struggle with language and struggle with their reading and writing, it's just a motivator for them."

About 250 3rd, 4th and 5th graders at Noble will benefit from the grant as well. 

Noble is the only elementary school in the Robbinsdale School District using this program. 

The grant is specific to the 2010-2011 school year.