Wayne Township Education Foundation
News Details
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March 2026
Chrissy Stranko loves how curious, creative, and eager her second grade students are to explore the world around them.
“They ask big questions, love working together, and shine when given the chance to build, test, and discover,” the Chapel Glen Elementary teacher said.
Mrs. Stranko wanted to give her students hand-on experiences to bring their ideas, and her curriculum, to life. So she applied for a DonorsChoose grant to purchase STEM materials appropriate for their age. With the help of additional funding from the Wayne Township Education Foundation, those materials are now in the hands of her students.
The materials include building kits so they can “design, problem-solve, and collaborate like real engineers;” science tools for experimentation and observation; and learning tools for math that help make abstract concepts more clear.
Mrs. Stranko said the students are using their new materials to create all kinds of things.
“Students are using the materials to design and build a variety of creative projects. With the LEGO bricks and magnetic tiles, they are constructing towers, buildings, and imaginative structures while exploring stability and problem-solving,” she said.
“The gears set allows students to experiment with building moving machines and simple robots as they learn how gears work together.
“Using the geomaker set, students are also creating different shapes and 3D structures, helping them better understand geometry concepts. These hands-on materials give students the opportunity to plan, build, test, and improve their ideas just like real engineers.”
The students are learning core STEM concepts, and having fun in the process.
“The hands-on activities allow them to be creative while also thinking critically about how their designs work,” said Mrs. Stranko. “It’s been wonderful to see their enthusiasm and the pride they feel when their ideas come to life.”
ABOUT THE WAYNE TOWNSHIP EDUCATION FOUNDATION
The Wayne Township Education Foundation (WTEF) provides community leadership to enrich, engage, and stimulate teaching and learning in the Metropolitan School District of Wayne Township. WTEF accomplishes this by supporting school programs and resources, while recognizing excellence among students and staff. To learn more about WTEF, call 317-988-7966, visit wtef.wayne.k12.in.us, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter @WayneTwpEdFound.