EFFINGHAM, Ill. (WAND) — A multimedia class at Effingham High School is giving students a chance to grow their STEM skills and express their creativity. Each student chooses a project at the start of the semester and signs a contract that says they are committed to putting their best foot forward when it comes to learning the new skill. Student like Kaden Rodgers are using this as an opportunity to grow.
Rodgers says, "I'm aspiring to be a better writer and learning how to write stories better. Everyone is unique and everyone's got a different one."
Writing is Rodgers' passion, but student projects range over a wide variety of different types of media. This semester, some of the projects include learning to play an instrument, photo and video editing, sewing, interior design, and stop motion animation.
Instructor, Charlie Huber, says, "A lot of times we'll have classes that teach specific subjects, and those are very important. Subjects like math, it's important to be able to learn to do math, but this gives students the opportunity to learn how to use math in a lot of different areas and variety."
One major goal of this course — outside of expanding the students' skills — is learning the importance of leadership and communication. As students work throughout the semester, they will give presentations about the progress they have made on their projects.
Rodgers says, "I learned about leadership and how far they can take you and no matter what you have to believe in your idea."
Huber hopes that as an instructor he is able to teach his students to celebrate their successes and learn from their failures.
"I want kids to try things, and I want them to be okay whenever they fail, as long as I learn from those things, because that's really what the next step in their journey is going to be about."
The students will continue to make progress on their individual projects as the semester continues. One thing Huber hopes that the students take away is a confidence in themselves.
"It's a small term we call root to fruit, so in here I want them to really grow and take in as much education and learning and knowledge as they can."
This class is something unique offered to students at Effingham High School. The students will host a gallery walk on January 23rd to show off the projects that they have worked hard to complete during the semester.
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