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w at er lo oc hr on ic le .c a W at er lo o C hr on ic le | T hu rs da y, M ay 17 ,2 01 8 | 18 CITY LIFE Visit waterloochronicle.ca for more coverage You wouldn't think that science and math would be some of the most popular subjects taught at Vista Hills Public school in Waterloo. But it's the way they are being taught that has caught the attention of people pro- moting science, technology, engineering, arts and math education, and it's why Grade 7 teacher Tania Bum- stead was awarded a Prime Minister's Award for Teach- ing Excellence in STEM last week. The modest Bumstead was quick to say the award should have been a group award for the teaching team at the school, as they work collaboratively at one of the region's newest schools to make science and math edu- cation interesting. The fact they are in a community that supports technology and in- novation also makes it a soft sell to get students and their parents involved. "We are encouraged to try new things and support each other when we come up with new ideas," said Bumstead. New ideas like putting tough math questions on the board and getting her stu- dents to bid on who gets to solve them. Right away it turns the concept of having to do something on its ear and instead energizes her students to come up with the solution. That innovative ap- proach, plus the use of tech- nology and breaking down the four walls of the class- room to the wider world were specifically why she was recognized as one of Canada's top educators. "An innovative teacher who constantly pushes the boundaries of technology, Ms. Bumstead prioritizes problem solving, reasoning, creativity, risk taking and failure among her student, while also encouraging re- flection, resiliency and effi- cacy every day, "said the Government of Canada new release in announcing the award. In particular, she was lauded for her participation in the Global STEM Learn- ing Hub program that links students in her class with other classrooms around the world to solve problems, collaborate and interact on- line and through posting video solutions and contrib- uting to the website and blog posts. "We connect with class- rooms in China, New York and Hawaii," said Bumstead. "Students are in groups and are given a challenge bi- monthly that they have to complete online, and they write and blog and make a video of their solution." The kids learn other ap- proaches to problem-solv- ing, and have to do some problem-solving them- selves, in connecting with kids in different time zones and on different continents. "The group connects and communicates about what they think of their solutions, and they talk online about it," said Bumstead. "It brings STEM to a whole new level because they are talking globally." There is a lot of cross-pol- lination of ideas and ap- proaches, and kids take risks and new approaches to the problem they normally wouldn't take. "It just makes it a more global connection for them," said Bumstead. "They are just stuck in the four walls of a classroom, when they see everybody doing it. "They see the big picture and how big it all is, and they aren't just talking to their classmates; they have to use media and technology to communicate with other people in the group." Her principal, Don Ober- le, said Bumstead repre- sents the innovative, collab- orative approach they've been pushing in the school since they opened two years ago. "It is phenomenal to see the impact of a program like hers, and I'm lucky to have many Tanias here," he said. "It's been part of the school board's focus, as well, where individual needs are ad- dressed and met, and where we work together for the col- lective good." STEM education has a lot of support in the communi- ty, but Oberle said Bumstead does a good job of staying ahead of the curve, and the kids, in terms of their use of technology and the different apps out there. "She really focused on student engagement," said Oberle. "What does it take to engage today's student? It's about curiosity, question- ing, risk-taking and prob- lem-solving. Those are 21st- century life skills needed for these students to be success- ful." Risk-taking and over- coming challenges is funda- mental to Bumstead's teach- ing style, and that explora- tion of creativity and think- ing outside the box are seen as important skill sets for kids to learn. Bumstead looks to her own influences, like a favou- rite teacher named Tony Broscome who inspired her in her own 18-year-teaching career and pushed her to pursue teaching math and science. She still keeps in contact with him and said she hopes to be a role model for her own students that way. That's why she doesn't differentiate between boys and girls in her class and pushing them toward STEM education. They are all in- terested equally, and the girls in her class take advan- tage of the programs that support learning at the near- by universities. "I just got a message from a girl I once taught, and she said that she's still studying science because of my class," said Bumstead. "It's nice to hear that." EDUCATION Local teacher gets the prime minister's seal of approval Grade 7 teacher Tania Bumstead awarded Prime Minister's Award as one of nation's top teachers in STEM BOB VRBANAC bvrbanac@waterloochronicle.ca Tania Bumstead, a Grade 7 math and science teacher at Vista Hills Public School was awarded a Prime Minister's Award (PMA) for Teaching Excellence in STEM Certificate of Achievement program last week. Bob Vrbanac Photo