FLORES is back for a second year at Trinity Elementary School! FLORES stands for Family Learning and Outreach for Research and Education in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math). This program was created by Dr. Amanda Gunning and Dr. Meghan Marrero, co-directors of the Mercy College Center for STEM Education. The FLORES Program has been implemented in many school districts -- and even in Ireland.
In this program, kindergarten and first-grade students, along with their parents, engage together in STEM activities in their native language. At Trinity, two groups are taught in English and two in Spanish. Classes are taught by four dedicated and expert Trinity teachers: Rachel Collens, Griselda Peña, Adrienne Quinn, and Yesenia Sanchez.
In the first session last week, students and their parents investigated different materials and their properties. First, families explored different types of materials, such as aluminum foil, felt, wax paper and construction paper. Next, each family used the Engineering Design Process to create and test a dog house. They tested several roofing materials by simulating rain with a dropper or spray bottle. Then, families discussed their observations and determined which roofing material was the best for keeping out the rain.
In the second session, families will investigate sound and waves. Finally, in the third session, students will explore coding using a mouse robot.
Some goals of the program are to teach families how to ask questions to facilitate science learning and to build science self-efficacy in both students and parents. This program also helps to develop students’ fundamental science knowledge and vocabulary, and builds 21st century skills such as critical thinking, collaboration and problem-solving.