FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 20, 2017, 10:00 a.m. CDT
Contact Jason Hogue, Peru State College
Marketing and Communications, 402-872-2429
Peru, Nebraska – The Peru State College of Education hosted their 21st semi-annual Brain Quest learning
event on December 2nd. Brain Quest is a biannual program for third graders that promotes
science, technology, engineering, and math, or STEM learning.
Elementary Education majors at Peru State designed multiple activities to encourage
hands-on engagement with STEM concepts. Over 200 third graders from surrounding elementary
schools participated in this year’s activities.
Some of this year’s projects included making ice cream, marshmallow shooting, building
mini catapults, filling up balloons with a created chemical reaction, trying the water
bottle flip challenge, making rain clouds, making 3-dimensional shapes with various
items, building gingerbread houses, and building snowmen with homemade snow.
Dr. Gina Bittner, associate professor of education, founded Brain Quest in 2006 during
her first semester at Peru State College. Bittner was joined in recent years by assistant
professor of education, Darolyn Seay. They host Brain Quest along with elementary
education students each fall and spring semester.
Bittner says, “Brain Quest is a great opportunity for our teacher candidates to gain
first-hand teaching experience with meeting students’ needs in math and science.
The candidates work to use the STEM Standards (Science, Technology, Engineering, and
Math) to engage students in meaningful lessons.”
Seay had many good things to say about this year’s activities, remarking, “This event
focuses on providing third-grade students with the opportunity to explore STEM-related,
hands-on activities. The day has proven to be a high-impact event supporting community
engagement, and lots of fun for all.”
The Dean of Education at Peru State, Dr. Ellie Kunkel, also commented, “Brain Quest
was a huge success because of the rich collaboration among faculty that results in
successful planning and execution by our teacher candidates emulating this model.”
Trae Ramer preparing students for Jedi Training.
Bianca Jones helping students build gingerbread houses.
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Ashley Peiman and Jared Haag contributed to this release.