At Hawkins STEMM Academy in Toledo, Ohio, kindergarten students are trading traditional activities like naps and cookies for hands-on science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM) projects. In Mary Kaufman’s class, students like Matthew Skipper and Abby Finke are building dens for polar bears, learning about the importance of shelter for wildlife.
“If the bears don’t have homes, they can die,” explained Matthew, carefully constructing a den with four sides and a roof. Abby added, “The polar bears need dens so they can keep their babies safe.”
This activity is part of the school’s innovative approach to education. Cynthia Madanski, an instructional coach at Hawkins, said the academy is a “beacon of innovative education” that sparks curiosity and connects students to the real world. The school’s STEMM identity, “In sync with Nature,” guides its curriculum.
Students at Hawkins don’t just read about nature—they experience it firsthand. They’ve observed birds in the school prairie and Toledo Botanical Garden, studied monarch butterflies, and even tested what the butterflies eat. “They discovered for themselves that monarchs only eat milkweed,” Madanski said. “This teaches them discovery, which is fundamental in STEMM.”
STEMM for All Ages
Hawkins Principal Aufwiedersehen Winfield emphasized that STEMM education is ideal for young learners. “We lay the foundations for different types of learning,” she said. The school serves students from Toledo Public Schools (TPS), as well as from Springfield and Sylvania districts.
Ann Newton, TPS director of early childhood education, noted that STEMM concepts have long been part of kindergarten and elementary curricula. “Even outside the academies, kids are learning these concepts in other classes,” she said. “STEMM is being used across the country in elementary schools.”
Newton acknowledged that kindergarten has become more academic over the years. “It’s no longer just naps and cookies,” she said. “Students are actively learning about literacy, language, and more.”
Recognition and Growth
Hawkins has earned a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) designation from the state, making it one of only 10 schools in Ohio with this recognition. The school integrates art into its curriculum through partnerships with the Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo Ballet, and Unruly Arts.
The demand for STEMM skills is growing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, STEM occupations are projected to grow by 7% through 2032, compared to just 2% for non-STEM jobs.
Hawkins students are already making their mark. They participate in the GLOBE in the Prairie Student Research Symposium at the Toledo Zoo, where kindergartners have presented research on cloud cover. “Last year, our kindergartners wowed everyone,” Madanski said. “We were the only school with kindergartners presenting alongside junior high and high school students.”
Engaging Young Minds
Kate Delaney, an associate professor of early childhood and special education at the University of Toledo, praised STEMM for its hands-on, integrated approach. “It creates opportunities for kids to get excited about reading and brings play back into learning,” she said. “It’s especially helpful for kids who struggle to sit still all day.”
Parents are also enthusiastic. Destiny Skipper, whose children Matthew and Madison attend Hawkins, said, “My kids are advanced, and they love it here. They come home excited about what they’ve learned.”
Preparing for Kindergarten
Newton and Delaney agree that parents can prepare their children for kindergarten by teaching basic skills in fun ways. “Use Play-Doh to help with fine motor skills, build with Legos, or take nature walks,” Newton suggested. Delaney added, “STEMM helps kids investigate, ask questions, and get excited about learning.”
At Hawkins, the focus is on creating a dynamic learning environment that prepares students for the future. As Winfield put it, “STEMM really engages students. Our school is growing because people are learning more about what we do.”
For these kindergartners, learning is no longer just about naps and cookies—it’s about building dens, studying butterflies, and discovering the world around them.
