Congratulations to Fain ES, winners of $1,850 grant from the RC of Wichita Falls Southwest to help fund their STEM program.
The Rotary Club of Southwest Wichita Falls has worked with Fain Elementary, Fain PTA and Fain Alumni for several years. In prior years The Dexter Lab and Outdoor Learning Area were sponsored by Rotary Grants and used by students for hands-on making and robotics. The Fain Elementary project will promote education by expanding our Learning Commons area. Originally students designed a Makerspace adjacent to the Fain Library, where they practice “Making” -- experimentation, interaction and play in applying learning to the real world.
As projects on campus expanded, so did the need for space. Three years ago, with the assistance of the Rotary funds, we added a Dexter Lab. The Dexter Lab is now home to the Fain Robotics and STEM clubs. Over the past two years, Fain has worked to expand the Learning Commons with an outdoor area for learning and making, also receiving funding from Rotary. "We believe that all students can become lifelong learners and contributing members of society. The commitment of our school is to provide a learning environment that is safe, caring, and focuses on individual abilities and talents of each student as we work with students, parents, faculty, and the community to help each child achieve maximum success. We base this mandate on clear goals, instructional needs, and the ever-changing expectations of student achievement”, said Clarisa Richie, Principal Fain Elementary.
Fain Elementary Staff has been collaborating with Cannon Elementary in Grapevine, Texas for the last two years. Cannon is a Nationally Recognized STEM campus. This summer, three of Fain staff members had the opportunity to participate in a week-long STEM training with Cannon Elementary, sponsored by STEM Experts. During this training, many of the student activities utilized a mobile magnet wall. The mobile magnet wall is an interactive play space that highlights slope, momentum, and gravity through hands-on experimentation. “We are hoping to use the mobile magnet wall in our Dexter Lab and in our Outdoor Learning Area. as another way to expand hands-on learning and ‘Making’ at Fain,” said Richie. Richie also noted, “WFISD also recognized this Rotary club with a PIE (Partners In Educations) award last spring for their continued support of Fain Elementary.” SW Rotary Blaine Purcell championed these projects in the Rotary Club, “Fain Elementary and Barwise were the foundation of lifelong learning for me.” Purcell went on to say, “Along the way, I’ve learned to be a Lawyer, Medical Doctor and Doctor of Vetinary Medicine. I thought, SW Rotary should make sure our children have the educational skills they need for a productive life.”
The Rotary Club of Southwest Wichita Falls was founded in 1956 focused on service. Key fundraising activities are an Annual Sporting Clay Shoot (next planned for April 30, 202s) and a US Flag Display Program serving Wichita Falls (along with other area Rotary Clubs). Funds raised are distributed annually to nonprofits making a difference in our community. More information on the club and our fundraising events is available on our website, https://southwestrotary.com and Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/rotaryswwf. Wichita County is also served by Rotary clubs in Burkburnett and Iowa Park as well as three Rotary clubs in Wichita Falls.
Rotary first organized in 1905 in Chicago, IL brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 34,000 Rotary clubs in 200 countries and geographical areas. Rotarians are men and women who are business, professional and community leaders. Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping families in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world.
For more information, visit Rotary.org.
CONTACT: Jack Browne, jackbrowne.wf@gmail.com 940-447-161
