The future is now with Marion’s WozEd STEM program

MST, 7GA are first WozEd Pathway Schools in Ark.

By ANDY WELD

MSD Communications

The hum of drone propellers, the whirr of 3D printers, and the enthusiastic chatter of young minds immersed in robotics and animation – these are the sounds of a school day transformed at Marion Math, Science & Technology Magnet and Marion 7th Grade Academy.

It’s all part of the new WozEd curriculum implemented this year at both schools. Inspired by Apple Computer co-founder Steve Wozniak, this innovative curriculum is giving Marion students the opportunity to dive head_rst into the future of science, technology,

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Students at the Marion 7th-Grade Academy get a hands on feel for STEM learning.

Photos courtesy of MSD

Stop-motion filmmaking is just one of the cool lessons learned in the WozED program.

Marion MST Magnet students learn all about drone technology.

A perfect landing …

The Four Pillars of STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

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engineering, and math education with hands-on, project- based learning experiences.

Last November, both MST and 7GA were recognized as WozEd “Pathway” schools, becoming the _rst two schools in Arkansas to earn this prestigious distinction. So far this year, through WozEd, students have taken on hands-on topics like animation (including stop motion, claymation, ipbooks, and more), engineering (with tools like Tinkercad and 3D printing), drones, arti_cial intelligence, robotics, droneying, cybersecurity, and more.

“The fun part about this program is that students don’t just learn about these subjects – they get to actively create and experiment with them,” said Bailey Isbell, who leads the program at 7GA. “We y drones, design 3D models, learn the basics of AI, and so much more. Students are able to connect their curiosity to real-world technologies in a fun and engaging way. It’s also a great opportunity for students to explore careers and technologies that are shaping the future.”

Alex Jones, who leads the WozEd program at MST, shared similar enthusiasm.

“One of my favorite things about WozEd is its ability to make abstract concepts tangible,” he said. “For example, students don’t just learn about how robots work – they build and program their own robots. This hands-on, project- based approach keeps students engaged and helps them see the real-world applications of what they’re learning.”

The result is an academic program that not only gives students practical lessons, but creates a learning environment that helps students who might not thrive in the traditional classroom setting. Students say WozEd classes feel like a break from regular classes – but they are still learning valuable skills – skills that could lead them into career paths they might not have considered before.

“I had a student last semester who really struggled in traditional classroom settings – he found it hard to focus on more conventional subjects and his frustration was coming out in a way that was distracting to his peers,” said Isbell. But during WozEd class, everything changed. “The opportunity to move around, work on projects, and collaborate with his peers in a positive environment helped him _nd productive ways to manage his frustration. By the end of the semester, he was creating advanced robots using unique combinations of Cubelets and was designing intricate models for our 3D printer.”

Over at MST, Jones has observed the same thing.

“One of my students, a _fth grader, initially struggled with con_dence in STEM,” he said. “She often avoided participating in class, fearing she’d get the answers wrong. When we started a WozEd project on robotics, she was hesitant and said, ‘I don’t think robotics is for me.’ But with some encouragement, she took on the challenge of programming her group’s robot. At _rst, her code didn’t work, and she grew frustrated. But with persistence and teamwork, she eventually got the robot to navigate an obstacle course successfully.”

“Watching her light up as her project worked was an unforgettable moment,” Jones continued. “WozEd has helped her and many others see themselves as capable and creative, which boosted their con_dence.”

Through its project-based approach, the WozEd program is also helping students build some of the soft skills they need to become productive citizens in the world around them. Since they work together on projects, they learn how to collaborate, how to share ideas, and how to communicate effectively. Through their projects, students are also learning that creativity, itself, is a skill – just because they may not be the strongest in math or science doesn’t mean they can’t excel in technology or design.

“WozEd really helps students understand there’s no one way to be successful,” Isbell said. “Everyone has unique strengths that can contribute to the world of STEM. It’s really rewarding to see students discover that.”