Volusia County Schools unveils its 'state-of-the-art' STEM bus

Mary Ellen Ritter, Daytona Beach News-Journal
Updated ·2 min read
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Volusia County Schools unveiled its “state-of-the-art” STEM bus at Beachside Elementary School Tuesday.

The mobile laboratory expands upon science, technology, engineering and math learning in innovative, engaging and hands-on ways.

“Our students will be empowered to think critically, solve complex problems and embrace the endless possibilities of STEM,” said David Van Slyke, STEM bus resource teacher and driver.

What is a STEM bus?

A tour of the bus Tuesday unveiled drones, microscopes, tesla coils, a Van De Graff generator, 3D printing and six TVs. And third-graders in attendance learned about robotics, rocketry, circuits, optics and forms of energy in fun and engaging ways that utilized both augmented and virtual reality.

The experience, however, will change quarterly to align with and expand upon the curriculum taught in Volusia classrooms. Superintendent Carmen Balgobin said it integrates 21st century skills with state-based standards.

From left, Beachside Elementary students Aaron Dye, Tyler Annon, Michaela Smurdon and Senai Miller react as colorful strands of light are drawn to their fingers as they touch a Plasma Ball, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, while touring Volusia County Schools' new STEM bus.
From left, Beachside Elementary students Aaron Dye, Tyler Annon, Michaela Smurdon and Senai Miller react as colorful strands of light are drawn to their fingers as they touch a Plasma Ball, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, while touring Volusia County Schools' new STEM bus.

The bus will visit all Volusia County elementary schools, and community members can expect to see it at STEM tournaments, STEM nights and community engagement opportunities.

"There is nothing better to be able to offer students than the opportunity that a bus pulls up and it has everything inside them in order to conduct experiments," said school board chair Jamie Haynes. "There's nothing more meaningful than hands-on."

Turning a vision into reality

STEM was first introduced in Volusia County in 2010, according to Amy Monahan, Volusia County STEM specialist.

“Initially, STEM encompassed any of the components of its acronym,” she said. “Today we embrace a deeper comprehension, recognizing that STEM is standards-driven, integrated and student-centered. So it’s about our students. It provides students with opportunities to apply their learning in real world applications.”

Balgobin brainstormed and spearheaded the idea for a STEM bus in Volusia County last spring. She noted that 80% of today's jobs are tied to the STEM field and that it is necessary for Volusia schools to keep up with workforce demands.

Beachside Elementary student Dae'Shawn Smith reacts as he waits for a spark off the finger of STEM bus resource teacher David Van Slyke, who is touching the dome of the Van De Graff Generator, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, during a tour of Volusia County Schools, new STEM bus.
Beachside Elementary student Dae'Shawn Smith reacts as he waits for a spark off the finger of STEM bus resource teacher David Van Slyke, who is touching the dome of the Van De Graff Generator, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, during a tour of Volusia County Schools, new STEM bus.

“This lab on wheels is going to be providing our families, our parents and our students and our teachers the opportunity for those hands-on learning experiences where they can explore and solve the world’s current and future problems,” Balgobin said.

The district's Transportation Department began transforming a 75-person, fully accessible school bus into a dynamic learning resource in May so it would be complete by the 2023-24 school year. The bus cost a little less than $83,000, according to Rodney Smith, director of transportation.

Beachside Elementary student Sienna Barrett smiles while touching the dome of the Van De Graff Generator as it makes her hair stand up, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, as David Van Slyke, STEM bus resource teacher, gives the students a tour of Volusia County Schools' new STEM Bus.
Beachside Elementary student Sienna Barrett smiles while touching the dome of the Van De Graff Generator as it makes her hair stand up, Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2023, as David Van Slyke, STEM bus resource teacher, gives the students a tour of Volusia County Schools' new STEM Bus.

It is equipped with six TVs, interior and exterior LED lights, workspaces throughout the inside and a 10x20 electric awning which can be used for additional hands-on experiences.

“I guarantee you, there’s no other like this prototype out there,” Balgobin said.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Volusia County Schools unveils STEM bus, dynamic learning experience