STEM Playbook Is Making Summer School Unforgettable
What do Whack-a-Mole, reaction-time drills, and boxing games have to do with STEM? At Struthers and Sebring Elementary Schools this summer, they were the foundation of something powerful: joyful, hands-on learning.
In partnership with the United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley’s Success After Six program, thanks to support from Covelli Enterprises, STEM Playbook delivered a new kind of summer school experience. One where students move to learn.
One highlight? The use of Nex Playground, an interactive active-play system that had students up and moving with games like Whack-a-Mole. These games weren’t just fun; they became opportunities to teach reaction time, measurement, and graphing. Students grabbed rulers, tracked their progress, and even discussed units like inches vs. centimeters, all while staying physically active and engaged.
“When we connect learning to how kids naturally move and play, everything changes,” said co-founder Katie Grootegoed. “They engage differently. They believe in themselves more.”
The energy in the room was undeniable. Students raced to participate, graphed their heart rates after running laps, and explored biomechanics through sports drills. By combining movement with math and science, STEM Playbook helps students build the confidence they need to see themselves in STEM careers.
With plans to expand into more schools throughout the region, STEM Playbook is proving that education can be active, exciting, and deeply meaningful.
