STEAMwSeniors takes continued education to a new level

HESSTON, Kan. (KSNW) — STEAMwSeniors is a non-profit in Hesston that takes hands-on learning projects into facilities with seniors such as senior living facilities. STEAM stands for Science, technology, engineering, art and math.

Craig and Lori Gingerich started it, and they say this helps with health and wellness and brings people together.

“Expanding on the idea of critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and creativity,” Craig said.

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“It just gives them that continued value that they need, you know,” Lori said. “Often when they come into assisted living homes like this, they want to keep learning, and so that value and just that respect of yes, you can keep learning.”

Arthur Dick is a resident who has participated in some of the sessions.

“I think this is really a chance for all of us, including me, to be creative, and I think the idea is wonderful,” Dick said. “These sessions teach us something about everyday life or the events that go on around us, and it’s just something about new things. Robots are new to most people in this room, and now they’ll have an idea of what a robot is. Robots are gonna be everywhere, as they already are.”

The Gingerich’s have taught STEAM in the K-12 setting for years.

“We thought this is something that is sometimes overlooked,” Craig said. “The hands-on component that STEAM can provide. We see it in K-12 settings, but we don’t often see it in senior retirement communities, so we thought STEAM would be a great way to just start introducing this and expanding, stretching the mind and thinking.”

Both of their moms were in retirement homes and thought they could benefit from a program like this.

“The hands-on component and the mind is on, so not only are they sitting and listening, but then they’re taking that, they’re applying their learning in that hands-on way too, and it would have been a benefit for parents. So that was kind of part of what got us into this,” Craig said.

They say the collaboration among one another is also an important piece.

“We’ve seen how it increases a community,” Craig said. “It’s a lot of community building through STEAM because the hands-on part, but also the communication and the collaboration that happens. And we also know from our students, K-12 settings that, if done right, is very, very engaging. So why not do that with senior communities?”

“I love the fact that people get to interact with each other and the teachers, and that means we learn from each other, and that’s the best learning,” Dick said. “So I enjoy these sessions.”

They also work toward intergenerational learning, looking at what kids are learning in schools today and collaborating among the generations.

“It’s been fun for them to make the little comments of, you know, my grandchild is doing this in the classroom, so now I have a little bit more of an understanding,” Craig said. “So I think that’s been a neat part for us, just to see that, as far as I understand more now, what my younger grandchild and great-grandchildren are doing in school. There’s a lot of research that shows a lot of value and intergenerational activities, and it not only inspires, but it helps with valuing each other across the generations.”

Dick says learning is essential for his well-being.

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“The opportunities for teaching and learning are endless, really, and we have to watch for them and appreciate them,” Dick said. “I think learning is a big part of what I consider worthwhile. I think it’s an important part of staying healthy, and I think it’s good for the brain.”

They are building a free curriculum on their website.

“At our age, we got to take advantage of everything we can, and interacting and learning are an important part of that,” Dick said.

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