DISD
In a lively room at one of Denison ISD’s elementary schools, kindergarten students huddle around a table, carefully building a chair out of connecting cubes for Baby Bear. Fourth graders are sketching a design for a parachute to help Jack to get down from the beanstalk. This is all happening in the District’s new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math) Labs, an initiative made possible through the Texas Instruments Foundation STEM Implementation Grant DISD received last year.
“The STEAM labs are giving our youngest learners a chance to see themselves as engineers, artists, and innovators,” said Toni Nunn, District STEM Coordinator. “Thanks to the support of the Texas Instruments Foundation and Educate Texas, we’re making sure every student has the tools to dream, design, and create.”
These hands-on labs created at all four elementary campuses give every kindergarten through 4th grade student the chance to explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math through music at least once a week.
“For Denison ISD, it’s part of a larger vision: STEM For ALL. The new STEAM initiative gives students hands-on opportunities to problem solve, think creatively, and collaborate with peers. What makes these labs unique is their integration of music and the arts alongside traditional STEM subjects, helping students make connections across disciplines while tapping into different learning styles,” Nunn said.
One recent project challenged students to tackle engineering challenges inspired by fairy tales. After reading classic stories, they were tasked with designing solutions for the main characters’ challenges. The lessons blended literature and engineering, highlighting character traits such as perseverance, teamwork, and creativity, all while giving students real-world problem-solving experiences.
“Our STEAM labs give kids the chance to discover, experiment, and create through hands-on learning. The labs are important because they help students see that learning is fun and exciting, while building skills they’ll carry with them for the rest of their lives,” said Hyde Park STEAM teacher Laci Ward.
As the program grows, Denison ISD plans to further the commitment to expanding high-quality STEM opportunities for all students—preparing them not only for future careers, but also for a lifetime of curiosity and problem solving.