Baldwin visits Fond du Lac's STEM schools
U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-WI, first became interested in politics while serving as vice president of her middle school tudent council.
During a visit to the Fond du Lac School District’s STEM Academy and STEM Institute on Friday, Baldwin told students that one of her council’s projects was asking people in the neighborhood what they liked and disliked about living near the school.
One woman said she was tired of kids cutting through her lawn and trampling her tulips. Another said the air exchanger outside the industrial arts room was too loud.
“We solved both problems and then brought all the neighbors in one day for tea and cocoa. I was 13 years old and thinking that I can really make a difference,” Baldwin said.
The senator was in town to tour the school district’s two showcase charter schools that focus on project-based learning in the subjects of science, technology, engineering and math. Students in Grades 3 through 8 design and complete projects that meet Common Core standards.
Manufacturing is on the rebound in Wisconsin and Baldwin said she was interested in exploring Fond du Lac’s STEM schools and their partnership with Mercury Marine as an example to communities struggling to find creative ways to fill the needs of local employers.
Kevin Anderson, senior scientist and a Mercury Fellow, said employees from the company work with STEM students with the goal of bringing relevance to their lives. One project included developing a paper airplane factory. For another on naval ship construction they contacted the U.S. Navy.
“This isn’t a gifted and talented program,” Anderson told Baldwin. “It’s for everyone, including at-risk students who benefit from hands-on learning.”
Baldwin spent almost an hour talking with students and noted the importance of “planting the seeds early” when it comes to careers in science fields. She said she especially loved math as a young student.
Dolce Rusniaczek, 8, was working on a travel guide for people interested in visiting Madagascar. She was researching lemurs and water quality. Nearby, Helen Conran, 10, explained to Baldwin that her 2-liter soda bottle terrarium creates a sustainable biosphere with fish and plants.
The two girls represent a growing number of females gaining interest in what are traditionally male-dominated careers.
“If you dig into science at a young age (with girls) they will give it equal weight when they are exploring careers,” Baldwin said.
The STEM schools enroll the second highest minority population in the Fond du Lac School District, Anderson noted. After school, a bus is available to transport students to the Fond du Lac Boys & Girls Club, so working parents know their kids are in a structured setting.
Baldwin said after the visit that she has been watching the debate on Common Core standards. Baldwin serves on the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP).
“I hope the legislature will allow the Common Core standards to stay intact,” she said. “School districts have invested so much time and energy into standards and should be allowed to see it through.”
Instructor Sarah Edbauer said prior to Baldwin’s arrival students discussed the role of a U.S. senator. She said the visit was a great way for students to connect to government.
“It’s as real-world an experience as we can give our students and they are very proud that she came here,” Edbauer said.
Baldwin told the students that it’s empowering for them to know that they too could make a difference in the world.
“I’m most impressed with the young students themselves — in their ability to approach adults and explain their projects. They seem so confident,” Baldwin said.
Baldwin also visited Mercury Marine headquarters and toured assembly plants. Mercury has had five major expansions over the past few years.
