Kathryn Schroeder

Schroeder’s winning teaching idea, “Cougar Agri-STEAM Project,” will be enhanced with the Voya grant funds by expanding the program to include a student-managed chicken coop and a dedicated outdoor classroom to support hands-on, real-world learning for all kindergarten through 8th grade students. Through the project, students will care for chickens, collect eggs and use scraps for feed and composted manure to enrich soil in the school’s garden while also learning sustainability and agricultural practices. Plans are for the outdoor classroom to be used by all teachers across subjects as an alternative learning space, providing a calm, engaging environment for students who struggle to sit indoors and benefit from movement, fresh air and hands-on experiences. This space will be designed to support collaboration, creativity and active learning, making it an essential extension of the school’s science, technology, engineering, the arts and math (STEAM) program. Schroeder believes this project fosters responsibility, teamwork and pride while increasing access to meaningful outdoor learning.