Area Montessori programs come together to talk STEM

Aurora, Ill - On the evening of April 29, Fox Valley Montessori School held an introductory STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) session for the Montessori Primary, 3- to 6-year-old, classroom.

Karen Jones, the Fox Valley Montessori School STEM Director, presented at this particular STEM-related gathering.

Jones talked to a group of Montessori teachers and heads of schools from some of the surrounding Montessori programs in the area. This Montessori Heads of Schools group formed as a way to exchange ideas and bring the Montessori philosophy to the foreground in the western suburbs. The initial STEM session was a channel for Montessori educators to have an opportunity to adopt STEM initiatives and support each other in the classroom.

"The biggest benefit of this session was we were able to share ideas and introduce new STEM material into the classroom that normally wouldn't be there," Jones said.

There was staff from Aurora Montessori, Naperville Montessori, Montessori Academy of Batavia, Montessori Academy of Glen Ellyn, Fox Valley Montessori School and Montessori Children's Academy in Villa Park who were all in attendance that evening.

Fox Valley Montessori's STEM program has been taught in the preschool through sixth grade classrooms for the past two years. Fox Valley Montessori School teachers have worked to integrate STEM projects as a seamless part of their classrooms.

Over the 2013-2014 school year, they have also initiated a schoolwide conservation plan that each individual classroom participated in.

In the fall, Jones is planning to introduce a community service and community extension STEM program to each Fox Valley Montessori classroom. Jones is also hoping to further expand the STEM development with Fox Valley Montessori School and the area Montessori programs. Her plan is to continue to focus on earth science and engineering ideas that can be utilized in the Montessori classroom.

Fox Valley Montessori School offers programs for children, 18 months through sixth grade, taught by certified, experienced, Montessori teachers. The teaching staff works collaboratively to offer each student the best opportunities to grow academically, personally and socially. Fox Valley Montessori offers a hands-on learning experience that cultivates children's natural inquisitiveness and provides opportunities for divergent thinking.

For more information, contact Fox Valley Montessori Head of School Denise Monnier at (630) 896-7557 or denise@foxvalleymontessori.org.