STEM Related Field Trips For Students

Students in the Wahkiakum School District participated in two field trips in March to experience local industry. At the elementary school, the students of Mrs. Shelly Olsen and Mrs. Jamie Brown had the opportunity to travel to Astoria, OR to the Columbia River Maritime Museum for a tour and to participate in an Underwater Learning Lab at the Barbey Maritime Center next door. With a little bit of history and direction, students built a Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) from pieces of PVC pipe press fit together. Then they attached the pre-wired/programmed motor system to the ROV and completed a mission in 1 hour. Their mission? To retrieve the lost cannon from the vessel "The Shark" from the bottom of a pool that was set up under cover. Students learned how and why ROVs are used. They were shown video from right out in the Columbia that an ROV recorded.

A couple weeks later a small group of high school students from Wahkiakum High School had the opportunity to tour Elochoman Millwork, a local business that makes doors. Some of the students have robotics club experience and they were told this looks really good on a resume and would catch their eye. They have many tools to help them but their latest addition is their new CNC machine. Students watched this operate and then staff had students set it up and get it started for another round.

These field trips were coordinated by Jessica Vik, WSU Extension 4-H Robotics Coordinator and 4-H Liaison to WHS, with funding support by Career Connect Washington and Career Connect Southwest STEM Network.