The science room at Pretty Eagle Catholic Academy located in St. Xavier, a small community on the Crow Reservation, was buzzing with anticipation as kids prepared to celebrate the unveiling of their ultimate project: a fully functional, portable, steel bridge measuring 4 feet wide, 27 feet long and weighing 920 pounds.
First, they shared some of their design development stages. Step one? Gum drop (yum) and toothpick models. The room filled with laughter as the kids admonished one another, “don’t eat the bridge!”
From candy mockups, the design progressed through several iterations. Students used computer-aided design (CAD) software (the same program professional engineers use) to design models and then selected three from about 10 initial designs to have 3D printed with soft, biodegradable plastic. Some of these 6-inch models were so strong that they supported nearly 250 pounds before breaking. The students learned through trial and error how to design structural supports with minimal material by experimenting with Kinect blocks and lifesized bridge sections made from 1-inch foam board.
Because they wanted the bridge to be useful in various locations for various needs, the kids figured out a way to roll the bridge into a 9-foot diameter “wheel” so it would be portable. This portability, requiring no special equipment, sets their bridge apart from other bridges. First Interstate Bank of Hardin and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) provided funding to purchase materials to build the final approved design.
Innovative curriculum
The bridge was an unintended result of a program that began with a Children, Youth and Families at Risk (CYFAR) grant from the USDA-NIFA that started in 2009. Garla Williamson, the school’s principal for the last 15 years, recalled that she wanted more opportunities for kids, both in-school and after-school. With support from a parent, she applied for a grant through 4-H. “This grant opened the door to so much more – from filmmaking, both culturally- and sciencebased, to robotics, everything. Pretty Eagle did more than add these things after school, we incorporated them into our curriculum.”
The principle investigator for the grant and MSU Extension citizenship, international programs, and sustainable communities specialist, Stephanie Davison, expressed that having 10 years to partner with the Pretty Eagle team which included Williamson, the teaching staff and youth, had a tremendous impact. “We were able to really bond and build trust which is very important. Everyone knew we would show up and that we were all working in the best interest of the kids and the school.”
“The grant was intentionally a step-up program,” Davison said, “meaning that kids started with robotics in the second or third grades and then moved to GPS in fifth, drones, CAD and GIS in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades, building on previous learning.” Equipment purchased with the grant will allow the school to continue integration of technology programs in everyday curriculum.
Jack Joyce, an award-winning teacher in his 22nd year of teaching science and religion at the school, was instrumental in developing innovative projects throughout the 10 years that allowed kids to apply the skills they were learning in practical ways. Students used CAD to design a doghouse they later built for Rex, the resident black lab, and a shed to hold the school’s football equipment.
The kids fully embrace the active, hands-on learning. Sixth grader Drew Little Light was particularly interested in computers. She designed her own video game. “I especially like making the sounds using my own voice,” she said.
Micah Falls Down, also a sixth grader, most enjoyed using CAD to make his bat-erang, a boomerang that looks like a bat. He said, “I love to work with Mr. Joyce and Kenji Goodson (one of the school’s Jesuit volunteers). They make science interesting.”
Genesta Luther, grade 4-5 teacher who has taught at Pretty Eagle for 10 years and was the site director for the CYFAR grant, said she works with the kids on things like GPS, Google Earth, hydroponics and robotics to get them ready for Joyce’s class. “Some kids have a stigma that they can’t learn,” she said. “They’ve had years of being told they can’t, so they get really excited when they find out they can. As an example, some struggle with writing, but they can do CAD. They end up teaching their teachers and just beaming.”
Part of the curriculum that has been put in place includes improving communication skills. “Native American kids often struggle in college because of their fear of speaking, but with filmmaking and robotics and all they’ve done with this grant, especially starting young, they are learning and it’s getting easier,” said Luther. “We pair kids up as early as third grade and have them work together to solve problems. They learn to share their ideas verbally. This will help them be successful as they grow.”
Williamson agreed, “our curriculum and the opportunities we are providing get kids thinking about career possibilities, especially those that involve computers and engineering. Every time we get them on a college campus or expose them to new things, we get them thinking about what they can do.”
Davison expects the work from the grant and related projects may have long term impacts. “Knowing the kids have learned skills they can definitely use in the future, and probably close to home, is very rewarding. This project has built capacity in the community by expanding the potential job pool. These kids have experience and more confidence to explore CAD and other science and engineering careers.”
The final product
Why a bridge? A small irrigation ditch is located outside one of the school’s exits. Williamson asked Joyce and the kids to build the bridge to span the ditch to create a safer path for a wheelchair. They obliged.
At age 14, seventh grader Solomon Montoya has been working on STEM projects at Pretty Eagle for five years. Credited as the main designer, he is interested in studying interior design and architecture. His goal? To make affordable housing available. “It’s a big need here,” he said.
Minerva Stuart, also 14, is credited as the main builder. When she was 10, she started doing construction with her dad, who, like many in her family, builds houses. She has enjoyed the interactive learning and supportive environment at Pretty Eagle. “I’m going to really miss it next year when I have to graduate,” she said.
After the demonstrations inside the science room, the entire Pretty Eagle team gathered outside to see their project literally unfold. Together they rolled the giant wheel into place across the irrigation ditch to the back door of the school. A few students rushed in to lock the top rails in place, raise the hand railing and drop in the floorboards. Finally, with a smile the size of the big Montana sky, Stuart pushed her math teacher, Pam Maxwell across the bridge for its first use. Maxwell waved to all the kids as she beamed with pride.
“It’s a miracle,” said Montoya. “We actually did it.” His advice for other kids? “Find someone who can help you. Get a mentor. Mr. Joyce has helped me get a job shadow (CTA Architects in Billings) and more. Before I met Mr. Joyce, I didn’t believe in myself. All I did was draw. Now I’ve built a bridge.”
For more information about this project or upcoming CYFAR projects, contact Stephanie Davison at: sdavison@montana.edu. For information about Pretty Eagle School, contact Williamson at gwilliamson@stlabre.org.