By Sarah Opdahl

In many recent Town budget meetings, New Fairfield Middle School’s achievement of reinventing what was tired square footage into a bustling STEAM room was applauded—and deservedly so. While there were various programs and spaces available in the past, the new, dedicated room is decked out with high-tech pieces of equipment that take educational opportunities to a whole other playing field. STEAM Teacher Ryan Ragan, who spent 18 years at the elementary level in New Fairfield, is delivering relatable, creative lesson plans and is thrilled to be guiding the students through one fun hands-on activity after another.

Created in a large area in the building’s lower level, there is enough room for the midd le schoolers to “spread out when we work,” Ragan said, going on to say, “we have power cords above each workstation so students can plug in any tool or equipment required.” In addition, the workstations are on wheels and can be moved together or separated and placed around the room based on the needs of the class. There are five 3D printers and two smartboards in the room, plus a robotics table that is used by robotics classes.

“My favorite part of the job is seeing students motivated to use their hands to build something,” Ragan shared, which is a frequent occurrence. He explained, “Every student at NF Middle School has one trimester of STEAM each year. These classes cover topics such as Electricity and Magnetism, Biological Evolution, and Digital vs Analog Signals.” In all, there are between 70 and 130 students each day in Ragan’s classes. He noted that, in addition to the STEAM classes all students take, there is also a STEAM Explorations elective for each grade which covers Design and Modeling with 3D printing, Medical Detectives, and Robotics and Automation.

Fascinating-sounding curriculum was created and tailored for each grade, including the sixth graders’ deep dive into the world of magnetism and electricity, which they reproduce by creating simple circuits with switches and light bulbs. “As they progress, they will design and build an electromagnet capable of holding at least 10 paper clips. In addition, they will explore the principles of motion by building rubber band-powered paper vehicles called ‘skimmers’ that glide down the hallway.” Seventh graders are exploring the “concepts of artificial and natural selection through the lens of dog breeding. They will design their own unique dog breed, outlining desired traits, and create a commercial to showcase their new creation. They will also delve into the world of physics by building paper roller coasters, gaining hands-on experience with potential and kinetic energy,” Ragan explained.

Eighth graders are examining the differences between analog and digital waves, with a special emphasis on tsunami waves. Ragan noted, “Using this k nowledge, they will work in teams to design and build a tsunami warning system aimed at protecting residents in Hawaii.” The eighth graders have competition added to their experience with the Tall Tower Challenge, in which they need to use a limited set of materials to build the tallest tower capable of holding a tennis ball.

Middle School Principal Karen Gruetzner expressed gratitude to the superintendent, Ken Craw, and the NF Board of Education for their support in growing the program. She appreciates that “our new STEAM room inspires creative problem solving and innovation. Our students really enjoy the class because they get to truly engage in hands-on learning and exploration. The classroom set-up, coupled with Mr. Ragan’s instructional style allows for collaboration, which we also know students enjoy!” She is also enthused about the fact that Ragan’s content spans many subject areas, though there is a particular emphasis on science.

As Gruetzner supposed, Ragan is finding that all of the students are connecting with, and truly excited about, the hands-on building part of class, “their creativity comes out and they get excited, whether it be a cardboard dog model, a 3D paper roller coaster, or a tower to hold a tennis ball.” Ragan was proud that some eighth graders worked to find a solution to a real-world problem in class: the height of their power cords which some students struggled to reach. He praised their solutions and said, “One group created a hook that was taped to the end of a yardstick. This is now our ‘Cord Grabber’ that any student can use.” To wrap up the year, students in the elective STEAM Explorations class will amazingly build and program robots, simulating real-world engineering challenges.

Ragan is enthused about opportunities to partner with New Fairfield High School’s newly revitalized robotics club, which has seen success at recent competitions and practices in the slick robotics lab in the new school. “My goal is to send some students to the high school interested in joining their robotics program,” he said. In the third trimester, Ragan will introduce an after-school robotics program, which is designed for both students with no robotic experience and those who have already taken the 8th Grade STEAM Explorations class. Though he excelled at teaching at the elementary level, Ragan is “really enjoying the transition to working with older students,” and it is clear that he, the student body, and the entire program is successfully leveling up.