Full STEAM Ahead with Model Trains

Jim Tuck and Phred Salazar are STEAMing ahead with an after school model train club at Sechrist Elementary School. Ten 4th and 5th grade students are learning science, technology, engineering, art, and math as they build their model trains. Using the T-Trak system (www.ttrak.org) each student builds their own module that then connects with the other modules to create an interconnected railroad system.

Jim Tuck points out some features on a completed module to students in the Sechrist T-Trakkers Club

The club meets weekly on Friday afternoons and each meeting has specific educational goals. At the next meeting, a representative from BNSF Railways will instruct the students on railway safety with Operation Lifesaver resources (www.oli.org). Note: There are Operation Lifesaver programs in every state, and the website has videos and instructional materials especially for teaching children about railway safety.

Other events planned are a field trip taking the Mountain Line bus to the Amtrak station, learning about trains and railroad history at the Pioneer Museum, and finishing all the student modules so they can be linked together.

Melanie shares the T-Trak module she is building

The students will exhibit their trains at the Flagstaff Community STEM Celebration in the spring at the NAU dome, and also for Youth Day at the Flagstaff Mall.

Thank you to Phred and Jim for bringing STEAM to students through model trains!