Warsaw Inquiry Learning Lab

The W.I.L.L. BUS (Updated for 2024)

“Be Curious, Not Judgemental" -Walt Whitman

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"What you do has a far greater impact

than what you say."

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The Warsaw Inquiry Learning Laboratory

est. 9.24.2014

ARTICLE PUBLISHED ON 9.24.2014

Warsaw Community Schools (WCS) is a rural school corporation of 7200 students located in northern Indiana. The school corporation has 52% free and reduced population, and a 20% English Language Learner population. Warsaw is known as the Orthopedic Manufacturing Capital of the World, the duck farming capital of the world, and has the largest soy diesel manufacturing plant in the United States. The diverse industry has created a melting pot of diversity and culture exemplified by the 36 native languages within their school system.

The local needs of the community, orthopedic manufacturing, and agricultural industries has propelled WCS to create and incorporate innovative visions for inspiring dreams, enriching the community, technology and STEM education.

The Challenge

Their local industry thrives on creativity, innovation and problem solving. To meet both the local and global employment needs, WCS realized changes of instructional practices needed to take place. Change can always be difficult and the transformational shifts to digital learning and STEM education through Inquiry and Project Based Learning are major undertakings that have happened within Warsaw Community Schools.

The Solution

WCS has a unique partnership with the OrthoWorx foundation. OrthoWorx is a non-profit agency funded through the Eli Lilly Foundation and the local orthopedic companies dedicated to promoting and preserving the local industry through advancements in education and the local community. Through OrthoWorx support, WCS has become a leading school system in implementing Project Lead the Way curriculum. They developed a STEM instructional coaching program, employed community STEM advisors, and created a long-term strategic STEM roadmap for the corporation.

Through this local collaboration, WCS unveiled a mobile STEM laboratory, W.I.L.L. (Warsaw Inquiry Learning Laboratory) to develop Project Based Learning to all eight elementary schools, train teachers in Project and Problem based technological strategies, and show a visual community commitment to STEM industrial practices. Through its inception, teachers have been able to gain hands-on professional development. Minority and non-traditional students have been exposed to STEM education and technology at an earlier age, through a locally designed curriculum. This mobile STEM laboratory is one of the first in the nation owned solely by a school corporation and developed to meet the local and global industrial needs exemplified in the local economy.

-THE HISTORY-

9.24.2014

All Warsaw Community Schools elementaries now will be able to better implement project-based and inquiry-learning focused lessons thanks to W.I.L.L.

At 11 a.m. Tuesday, a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the mobile science, technology, engineering and math laboratory – called the Warsaw Inquiry Learning Laboratory – was held at the WCS central office. Superintendent Dr. David Hoffert thanked those involved with bringing the mobile lab to Warsaw Schools, saying the bus was a long time coming.

The idea for WILL began about 1-1/2 years ago, he said. As Washington STEM Academy took off, the school board gave the administration a challenge to provide all eight of the elementaries with STEM education.

“As we looked at the challenge, we started brainstorming ideas,” Hoffert said. “We got with Chris Bonifield and the other instructional coaches and looked at what it would take to bring the STEM mobile lab together.” On Aug. 26, 2013, OrthoWorx Executive Director Brad Bishop announced OrthoWorx was partnering with WCS to support the school system’s Moving STEM Forward program. The board also approved the donation and the corporation’s share.

OrthoWorx invested $300,000 and Warsaw Community School Corp. provided $185,000 in the partnership. OrthoWorx’ investment enabled strategic planning in STEM for the corporation, professional teacher development as well as the mobile STEM learning laboratory.

Hoffert said the WCS technology, maintenance and transportation departments got on board with the bus. ESCO Communications of Fort Wayne helped with the technology component of WILL, with Network Solutions Inc., Granger, providing a lot of the wiring inside the bus. Turtle Top, New Paris, built the actual bus, while Ethos, out of Elkhart, helped with the design work and development of ideas for the bus.

For the graphics on the bus, the school corporation turned to Warsaw Community High School students. Hoffert said the students’ design really “pops.” Hoffert gave a special thanks to instructional coach Nicki Baird, who created the curriculum for WILL. The mobile STEM lab would not have been possible without OrthoWorx and their financial funding, Hoffert stated. He also thanked the school board for making sure WILL moved forward.

Baird briefly explained the curriculum, saying that it focuses on having students think like a scientist and an engineer. It will incorporate a variety of lessons so that when students walk off the bus, they will be able to see themselves as scientists and engineers whether in kindergarten or sixth grade.

Hoffert said WILL will make appearances at First Fridays in downtown Warsaw as well as other community events. After the brief ceremony, school board President Jennifer Tandy said the bus fills a value of the corporation’s mission statement in serving all students. The bus was made possible thanks to the help of the community who worked to serve all students.

Jay Baumgartner, 2014 WCS board member, said the bus will help prepare the students for the future. “So many jobs are in STEM, we need to make sure all of our students are prepared and can fill those jobs,” he said.

The W.I.L.L. BUS Vision Statement August 3, 2023

The Warsaw Inquiry Learning Lab (W.I.L.L.) is a dynamic and innovative STEM bus initiative dedicated to advancing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education across all Warsaw Community Elementary schools. Our mission is to cultivate a lifelong passion for learning, inquiry, and discovery among young minds, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in an ever-evolving world.

Our mobile STEM bus serves as a roving hub of interactive and immersive learning experiences, bringing cutting-edge STEM lessons directly to the doorsteps of elementary school students. We believe in fostering a culture of curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving, empowering students to become active learners and contributors to society.

W.I.L.L. is committed to providing equitable access to high-quality STEM education for all students in the Warsaw community, regardless of their background or circumstances. We aim to bridge the gap between traditional classroom learning and real-world applications by engaging students in hands-on experiments, engaging activities, and collaborative projects.

Key aspects of our mission include:

Enhancing STEM Education: We strive to enhance the effectiveness of STEM education by supplementing classroom instruction with dynamic, interactive, and inquiry-based learning experiences. Our lessons are designed to align with curriculum standards while encouraging exploration and creativity.

Inspiring Lifelong Learners: WILL seeks to inspire a love for learning that transcends the classroom. Through engaging demonstrations and thought-provoking challenges, we aim to instill in students a passion for discovery and an eagerness to explore the wonders of the world around them.

Fostering Inclusivity: We actively promote inclusivity and diversity in STEM education. By offering our services to all elementary schools in the Warsaw community, we ensure that every student has the opportunity to engage in meaningful STEM experiences and unlock their full potential.

Empowering Educators: We collaborate closely with teachers, providing them with professional development opportunities, curriculum resources, and ongoing support to effectively integrate STEM concepts into their classrooms.

Partnering with the Community: W.I.L.L. values strong partnerships with local organizations, businesses, and institutions to expand the range of resources available to students and teachers. By working together, we create a vibrant ecosystem that nurtures a thriving STEM community.

Through the Warsaw Inquiry Learning Lab, we aspire to be the catalyst for positive change, nurturing a generation of young thinkers, innovators, and problem solvers who will shape a brighter future for our community and the world beyond.

-Dan Graney (2023)

For questions regarding Instruction, Public Relations, W.I.L.L. Bus Public Appearances, and Scheduling please contact Dan Graney.

Email: dgraney@warsawschools.org

Our Warsaw Community Elementary Schools

Your W.I.L.L. Bus Instructor: Dan Graney

35 years as a Warsaw Community Schools Teacher, Administrator, and Coach.
Ed.S Degree from Indiana State University (May 2023).
Master's Degree in Administration from Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne (May 1995).
Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education from Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne (May 1988).
Wayne High School Graduate, Fort Wayne, Indiana (June 1982).

WCS Warsaw Inquiry Learning Lab 2023-2024

The Future: The Next 10 Years

In 2023-2024, Warsaw Community Schools is actively partnering with Keep Indiana Learning to build a STEM Strategic Plan for the next 5 years.

The WILL Bus has been an integral part of helping to create and sustain 4 State of Indiana Certified STEM Schools.

We look forward to the future for the WILL Bus and STEM in Warsaw Community Schools.

A STEM CULTURE - What does that mean

(Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) can be described using various words and characteristics that are commonly associated with it.

Here are our words and phrases that we use to describe our WCS STEM culture:

Innovative: STEM cultures often prioritize innovation, encouraging individuals to develop new ideas, technologies, and solutions.
Analytical: STEM fields require a strong emphasis on data analysis, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
Research-driven: STEM cultures often promote a research-oriented mindset, encouraging the pursuit of knowledge and the scientific method.
Curious: A sense of curiosity and a desire to explore and understand the natural world are common traits in STEM cultures.
Collaboration: Collaboration and teamwork are essential in STEM, as many complex problems require multidisciplinary approaches.
Evidence-based: STEM cultures value the use of empirical evidence to make informed decisions and draw conclusions.
Precision: Precision and attention to detail are crucial in many STEM disciplines to ensure accuracy and reliability.
Technologically advanced: STEM cultures often embrace the latest technologies and tools to advance their fields.
Rigorous: STEM fields demand rigor and adherence to scientific methodologies and principles.
Problem-solving: STEM cultures are centered around identifying and solving complex problems in various domains.
Lifelong learning: Continuous learning and adaptation to new discoveries and technologies are important in STEM cultures.
Inclusive: Many in the STEM community advocate for inclusivity, diversity, and equal opportunities for all.
Data-driven: Data plays a fundamental role in STEM, informing decision-making and discoveries.
Interdisciplinary: STEM cultures often encourage the integration of knowledge and approaches from multiple disciplines to address complex challenges.
Experimentation: Experimentation and testing hypotheses are fundamental in scientific and engineering endeavors.
Ethical: Ethical considerations are paramount in STEM, as the potential impacts of technological and scientific advancements are carefully considered.
Results-oriented: Achieving tangible results and outcomes is a common goal in STEM fields.
Problem identification: STEM cultures focus on recognizing problems and opportunities for improvement.
Adaptable: STEM professionals often need to adapt to new information, tools, and methodologies as their fields evolve.
Educational: Many STEM cultures emphasize the importance of education and knowledge dissemination to the wider community.

These words and characteristics collectively contribute to the vibrant and dynamic nature of STEM cultures, which continue to drive progress and innovation in various fields.

INDIANA STEM- Update on Integrated STEM DOE

The current state of STEM education in Indiana for K-6 is focused on integrating science, technology, engineering, and mathematics into the curriculum to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills in students from an early age. The Indiana Department of Education has been emphasizing the importance of STEM education and providing resources and support for educators to integrate STEM practices into their teaching.

In K-6 classrooms, educators are encouraged to incorporate hands-on, inquiry-based learning experiences that allow students to explore real-world problems and apply their knowledge of STEM concepts. There is also a focus on integrating technology and engineering design processes into the curriculum to prepare students for the demands of the 21st century workforce.

Additionally, Indiana has been investing in professional development opportunities for teachers to enhance their knowledge and skills in STEM education, as well as providing access to STEM resources and materials for schools.

Overall, the state of STEM education in Indiana for K-6 is moving towards a more integrated and hands-on approach, aiming to prepare students for future success in STEM-related fields.

The Lilly Center, The Kosciusko Soil and Water Conservation District,

and the WILL Bus Collaboration

November 2023