March Teacher Feature Tracey Heffron Elementary STEM Studio Teacher - Plum Borough School District
Tracey Heffron is the STEM Studio teacher at Pivik Elementary in the Plum Borough School District. After Graduating from Gateway High School, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Slippery Rock University and became a National Board Certified teacher in 2011. She taught in Charlotte, NC for 9 years, where she was involved with the Learning Immersion program as well as one of three Multi-Age classroom teachers in a K-2 classroom where hands-on, project based learning was incorporated into daily lessons and activities.
Currently, Tracey, along with two other STEM teachers, sees all K-6 students in the district once a week for STEM as one of the special area classes. According to Henry David Thoreau, “The world is but a canvas to the imagination.” Plum Borough School District’s STEM Studio provides students with the canvas that allows their imagination, ingenuity, and creativity to flourish. Students are engaged in project-based learning where groups are presented with the opportunity to collaborate, problem solve, and develop IT skills. STEM Studio engages all students and challenges them to creatively think outside the box to complete each challenge and project.
STEM Studio aims to create thinkers and problem solvers which will allow their daily classroom learning to flourish as well. Amber Miller, 3rd Grade Teacher at Pivik Elementary says, “My students absolutely love STEM class and Mrs. Heffron! Their experiences in STEM have facilitated their ability to problem solve and persevere through challenging tasks in my third grade classroom. STEM has shown my students that there can be many paths toward answering a single problem. STEM class not only fosters intellectual development, but social development as well. Students practice working together toward a common goal, and they see the value in other students' ideas and contributions. This course is invaluable for my third graders.
Students using cubelets to problem solve various robot combinations.
Rori Smith, Kindergarten Teacher at Pivik Elementary says, “My Kindergarten students absolutely LOVE going to STEM with Mrs. Heffron.They were so excited to tell me how they used Ipads to program their own Angry Bird game! It was so exciting!!! Mrs. Heffron's STEM classes also give students the opportunity to build & create. They loved the Three Little Pigs project in which they built their own house of straw, sticks or bricks. Mrs. Heffron makes learning meaningful with all of her student-centered activities and projects! I am very thankful that our school district offers STEM class to all of our elementary students. It is truly integral in the development of our early childhood students.”
Students are excited and engaged in their learning in STEM Studio. Caroline Madden, a 3rd Grade Student at Pivik Elementary said, “I like STEM class because it is a time for me to be creative. I made a stop motion video with my group on the growth of a plant and it was really fun!”
Students programming an Angry Birds game using code.org
STEM Studio gives students the opportunity to be involved in hands on learning that supports their classroom learning. Mrs. Heffron and the STEM teachers work hard to incorporate grade level skills and concepts into their weekly lessons. A supportive district, administration, staff and community all contribute to the success of Plum Borough School District’s STEM Studio.
6th Grade teacher, Michelle Corna says, “When asked to sum up STEM class, "Challenging & Fun" is the phrase most given by students. Mrs. Heffron engages our students in building and creating projects, which lead to positive educational experiences and higher level thinking students.
Lynn Madden, parent of a Kindergarten and 3rd grade student says, “My third grader has loved the STEM class since the program's inception at Pivik. The hands-on activities, along with the creative thinking and problem solving skills she is learning from Mrs. Heffron not only engage and challenge her, but provide her with skills she would not otherwise have. My son is in kindergarten and he loves STEM every bit as much as his big sister. He is learning to code and is so motivated that he has come home and continued practicing on the website, code.org. Watching him reason through challenges and solve problems is remarkable! I am so happy that Plum is committed to STEM education.”
Life Savers Racers created by 5th grade students
Tracey has attended workshops, conferences and trainings to continue to grow as a STEM educator. From GigaPan training and Project Lead the Way, to Code Studio Workshops, she continues to bring back what she learns to her school, district and community. She served as the Assistant Director for Camp Invention held at Plum Borough School District over the past two years. Tracey has attended ABC Create Conference, the STEAM Showcase as well as presented at the AIU MSC Elementary Science Teacher Network and the AIU Network Connections Conference held at the Carnegie Science Center.
Plum Borough School District supports and encourages STEM learning and is a Carnegie STEM Excellence Pathway Partner. Tracey serves on the team of teachers from Plum that meet with other districts and leaders from Carnegie Science Center to grow and improve STEM instruction within the district. She recently earned the Champion of Change Award for her leadership and innovation in guiding students to become 21st century learners using the 4 C’s (Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking and Creativity)
Area school districts frequently visit Plum Borough’s STEM Studio to observe and gain insight on how to implement STEM classes in their districts. Tracey welcomes and is always open to answering questions and collaboration with other districts and teachers. Feel free to contact her at heffront@pbsd.k12.pa.us .
5th Graders testing their Life Savers Racers after studying forces and motion
Tracey Heffron
Elementary STEM Studio Teacher - Plum Borough School District
Tracey Heffron is the STEM Studio teacher at Pivik Elementary in the Plum Borough School District. After Graduating from Gateway High School, she earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Slippery Rock University and became a National Board Certified teacher in 2011. She taught in Charlotte, NC for 9 years, where she was involved with the Learning Immersion program as well as one of three Multi-Age classroom teachers in a K-2 classroom where hands-on, project based learning was incorporated into daily lessons and activities.
Currently, Tracey, along with two other STEM teachers, sees all K-6 students in the district once a week for STEM as one of the special area classes. According to Henry David Thoreau, “The world is but a canvas to the imagination.” Plum Borough School District’s STEM Studio provides students with the canvas that allows their imagination, ingenuity, and creativity to flourish. Students are engaged in project-based learning where groups are presented with the opportunity to collaborate, problem solve, and develop IT skills. STEM Studio engages all students and challenges them to creatively think outside the box to complete each challenge and project.
STEM Studio aims to create thinkers and problem solvers which will allow their daily classroom learning to flourish as well. Amber Miller, 3rd Grade Teacher at Pivik Elementary says, “My students absolutely love STEM class and Mrs. Heffron! Their experiences in STEM have facilitated their ability to problem solve and persevere through challenging tasks in my third grade classroom. STEM has shown my students that there can be many paths toward answering a single problem. STEM class not only fosters intellectual development, but social development as well. Students practice working together toward a common goal, and they see the value in other students' ideas and contributions. This course is invaluable for my third graders.
Rori Smith, Kindergarten Teacher at Pivik Elementary says, “My Kindergarten students absolutely LOVE going to STEM with Mrs. Heffron.They were so excited to tell me how they used Ipads to program their own Angry Bird game! It was so exciting!!! Mrs. Heffron's STEM classes also give students the opportunity to build & create. They loved the Three Little Pigs project in which they built their own house of straw, sticks or bricks. Mrs. Heffron makes learning meaningful with all of her student-centered activities and projects! I am very thankful that our school district offers STEM class to all of our elementary students. It is truly integral in the development of our early childhood students.”
Students are excited and engaged in their learning in STEM Studio. Caroline Madden, a 3rd Grade Student at Pivik Elementary said, “I like STEM class because it is a time for me to be creative. I made a stop motion video with my group on the growth of a plant and it was really fun!”
STEM Studio gives students the opportunity to be involved in hands on learning that supports their classroom learning. Mrs. Heffron and the STEM teachers work hard to incorporate grade level skills and concepts into their weekly lessons. A supportive district, administration, staff and community all contribute to the success of Plum Borough School District’s STEM Studio.
6th Grade teacher, Michelle Corna says, “When asked to sum up STEM class, "Challenging & Fun" is the phrase most given by students. Mrs. Heffron engages our students in building and creating projects, which lead to positive educational experiences and higher level thinking students.
Lynn Madden, parent of a Kindergarten and 3rd grade student says, “My third grader has loved the STEM class since the program's inception at Pivik. The hands-on activities, along with the creative thinking and problem solving skills she is learning from Mrs. Heffron not only engage and challenge her, but provide her with skills she would not otherwise have. My son is in kindergarten and he loves STEM every bit as much as his big sister. He is learning to code and is so motivated that he has come home and continued practicing on the website, code.org. Watching him reason through challenges and solve problems is remarkable! I am so happy that Plum is committed to STEM education.”
Plum Borough School District supports and encourages STEM learning and is a Carnegie STEM Excellence Pathway Partner. Tracey serves on the team of teachers from Plum that meet with other districts and leaders from Carnegie Science Center to grow and improve STEM instruction within the district. She recently earned the Champion of Change Award for her leadership and innovation in guiding students to become 21st century learners using the 4 C’s (Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking and Creativity)
Area school districts frequently visit Plum Borough’s STEM Studio to observe and gain insight on how to implement STEM classes in their districts. Tracey welcomes and is always open to answering questions and collaboration with other districts and teachers. Feel free to contact her at heffront@pbsd.k12.pa.us .