Raton Intermediate School
Grants Awarded
This program aims to enhance students' STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education through hands-on exploration of biomimicry in fishing and native root systems. Participants will design 3D printed fishing bait and develop systems to mitigate post-forest fire damage, promoting innovative thinking and environmental stewardship that benefits both the students and the local community by fostering a stronger connection to nature.
I (Amellia Veyna) am in my first year as the 6th grade science teacher in Raton. Before starting my position, I secured a position in a cohort from Purdue University called the TRAILS Program. The program is collecting data to show that outdoor, place-based learning is more effective than the typical textbook in a classroom format most common today. I am currently using this program to get students outdoors at Sugarite/Lake Maloya here in Colfax County. The students are looking at creating two biomimicry lessons; one of which involves creating their own bait to fish with and testing it. We will be going up to the Lake Maloya area multiple times during the school year. Having the opportunity to go outdoors is widely beneficial to their learning experience and something I would like to continue to incorporate during my time here.