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Kearny – Former local, Bill Nebeker, grew up in Kearny and graduated from Ray High in 1987. His parents still live in town. Bill now makes his living in Klein, Texas, just a little shy and to the north of Houston, where he is the STEAM Express Coordinator in the Klein Independent School District.
What is STEAM Express. Most locals have heard of the Mammoth STEM school, if not due to their own children’s participation, then due to neighbors or friends, or, various controversies surrounding the opening of the school and the informal protesting of such schools existing, which have been mentioned, at odd times, in the local newspapers.
For those who have not heard, or who need a refresher course, STEM schools are specifically focused on science, technology, engineering and math. STEAM schools are focused on these and also art. There are also e-STEM schools, where the primary focus is on the environmental sciences.
According to information provided by Mr. Nebeker, the Klein Independent School District Education Foundation (the Foundation) , in celebration of Klein ISD’s 75th anniversary, has commissioned a trailer to be transformed into a mobile learning laboratory classroom that will travel throughout the district offering lessons This is an idea which stems (no pun intended) from mobile book programs, including Klein ISD’s own Reading Express, which was funded in 2010.
The STEAM Express, which hit the streets at the beginning of this month, is a 48-foot long trailer, equipped with heating and cooling, the internet, video streaming capabilities, portable tables, touchscreen learning stations with touch screen computers, a wheelchair lift and ramp, and a fold down stage with awning. It will hold up to 15 students at a time, giving them the opportunity for hands-on experiences on subjects related to science, technology, engineering, art, and/or mathematics.
The Foundation raised over $250,000 to make this project happen, as well as having received generous donations from district vendors, such as a 55-foot monitor that will be used to make sure students in the audience can clearly see the instructor’s presentation.
Program coordinator Bill Nebeker, in his role as a full-time instructor, will be in charge of creating programs and activities.
“I find myself to be the luckiest guy in the world,”said Bill. “I want to find different ways to teach concepts, something that engages students. This is right up my alley.”
He continued, ““The STEAM Express is going to get students minds moving faster. We get to ask them, ‘What are you able to do?’ Not just say, ‘Here’s a lesson, do this.’”. We want students to go beyond today, and think of what they can do tomorrow, how they can change the world,” he said.
The mission of the Klein ISD Education Foundation is to help teachers and schools realize their dreams for their classrooms. The STEAM Express is one example of striving to reach this goal, allowing teachers to supplement the lessons that can be taught to their students, with the limited resources of their school, by granting them access to more and different equipment and another instructor.
“We provide innovative classroom teacher grants to allow teachers to try something that is not currently being done in their classrooms, on their campuses or in the district,” Klein ISD Foundation Director Doyle said.
She continued, “If we show our students career opportunities in a fun way of learning in an opportunity that they don’t currently have in their state-mandated curriculum, it just opens their eyes,”
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