Get Ready With Us!

Gearing Up for the School Year at Rio School District

by Kirra Rector

As summer break winds down and fall starts to rear its head, we are preparing for the upcoming school year. Our team has been working hard, updating our curriculum and packing our bags to head off into the Rio School District! We’ll show you what we’ve been up to; come get ready with us!

For starters, we’ve decided to put a face to the STEM & Branches name and in doing so, Nico and I have made little caricature versions of our own personalities! Welcome to the team Paz and Ms. Fernwick!

As we expand our curriculum, we are also expanding the entire concept of STEM & Branches, realizing that it would be beneficial to have personified visuals of what we really stand for as an education company. Paz always loves being outside, looking under rocks for bugs. He explores the yard with a magnifying glass and traps a beetles or lizards in a container and makes it a little habitat. Paz also loves trucks, dinosaurs, sharks, and deep-sea animals like angler fish. Ms. Fernwick is a quirky yet caring teacher that engages students in topics they would normally bypass. Her favorite skill is making mundane things interesting and relatable. Ms Fernwick cares about the welfare of her students, is optimistic and friendly, gives time and attention to the seemingly “small” things in life, and tries her best to make little moments a learning opportunity.

These characters really embody our mission at STEM & Branches and we’re hoping that their presence translates that message to all of you.

Armed with our hydro supplies, Nico, Rapha and I are ready to hit our first week at the 9 Rio Schools! Here’s what’s in our wagons:

• 1 Hydroponic Tower

• 2 Mini Hydro Towers

• Hydro Tower Nutrients & pH solution

• pH testing kits

• Dry Erase Board & Markers

• 5-Gallon Bucket

• Paper Towels

• Plastic Gloves

Our first week is our ‘Intro to Hydroponics’, we’ll be assembling the tower with our students and playing some games to get them familiar with ourselves and each other. Hop over to our curriculum to see our anchored question!

We’ll check back in with you with updates on our program! Until then, feel free to contact us if you have any questions! See you next time!