Bowler School District gets CWEC grant

The Bowler School District received a $400 STEAM grant from Central Wisconsin Electric Cooperative (CWEC) to purchase 10 electronic balance scales.

The scales will be used by students in middle school and high school science classes but could also be used by other classes, such as agriculture.

“I will be using them for specific measurements in chemistry and physical science classes, because we need to get more precise with our measurements,” said Kathleen Hansen, high school science teacher in the Bowler School District. “If we’re just looking at diagnostic testing, if we don’t do more precision (measuring), then students lag back. If they’re getting fertilizer, they need to know precisely how much they need to put on their field. That’s really the basis for what we’re teaching in chemistry and ecology.”

When the district applied for the STEAM grant, it had two electronic balance scales. With the addition of 10 more scales, students will be able to work on projects in smaller groups, thus enhancing their learning experience.

“Rather than 10 students per scale, we’re going to be able to lower that number,” Hansen said. “They’re going to get more hands-on with more scales available, rather than having to share (a scale) with 10 people.”

“The more hands-on we can be, the better,” added Tracy Laude, Bowler middle school and high school science teacher. “We can demonstrate, but it will create more of a meaning if they can actually work with the tools themselves. This will definitely enable us to be in groups of two or three. That way we can go around to see where everybody is at.”

Another benefit will be lab work will be able to be completed faster.

The goal is to have all students in classes that use electronic balance scales to experience using the scales.

“It’s just the fact of using the tool and being able to pay attention to measurements,” Laude said.

Hansen said she is “thrilled” that students in her classes will have the opportunity for hands-on experience with the scales.

“We are very excited about it because we are always working together with each other anyway, when it comes to our classes.” Laude said. “It’s especially nice, because a lot of students don’t get a chance to work with tools and equipment like this. It’s different than it was years ago.”

Hansen and Laude said they are thankful for the STEAM grant, because without it, it would not have been possible for the district to purchase that many scales.

The STEAM grants, to be used for projects and initiatives related to science, technology, engineering, art and math, were introduced by CWEC in 2022.