Dairyland Community Science Workshop

We have partnered with Alview-Dairyland Union School District to serve their 450 students K-8 in the rural community of Dairyland, California. Two families within the district had been traveling 100 miles round trip for our weekly robotics program at SAM Academy and saw the resources on hand at the center. These parents recommended us to ADUSD and we started work with the district GATE program. Over time, the school became more enthuiastic about maker communities and invested in a school district wide maker space at the end of our inaugural run. We worked with the Superintendent and Principal Mr. York to design a 28-foot long custom trailer using LCAP funding support. In addition to provisioning this space, CSW Network provides training to faculty on use of this STEM lab and several maker projects that incorporate K-8 pedagogy. Kits of materials are provided and all practical aspects of making are covered, including safety and student tool use. Over 52 sessions and 234 of in-class instruction we developed our proven Bots to Biology unit. Additional explorations have covered the intersection of man-made and natural systems, circuits, and ecosystem life cycle models. Students use microscopes, scientific instruments, and home improvement hardware to create, invent and innovate. We continue to work with ADUSD, supporting their efforts to provide high quality and engaging STEM experiences.