• UPDATED 8/14/23

    welcome

    TEACHER CONTACT INFO:

    Mr. VandenBos - K-5 STEM Teacher (Project Lead the Way) - WC Petty Elementary

    Email: jvandenbos@antioch34.com

    Classroom Phone: (847) 838-8128

    If you ever have any questions or need anything, the quickest way to get in touch is through email.

    GENERAL INFORMATION:

    At WC Petty, all elementary students K-5 receive one hour of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) instruction each week. This is divided into two 1/2 hour classes.

    A little about STEM in our district:

    In Antioch School District 34, the STEM teacher at each elementary school uses a program called Project Lead the Way. When students graduate to AUGS, they also have the opportunity to continue taking PLTW courses as part of their encore classes.

    PLTW's units (called modules) address computer science, engineering, and/or other science disciplines. These modules challenge students to become creative, collaborative problem solvers ready to take on any challenge. Each grade level has a new module each trimester. Every module begins with a fictional story, in which the characters in the story encounter a real-world problem that requires using the Engineering Design Process to solve. After setting the stage, students participate in activities to explore the subject (science, engineering, coding, robotics, etc), followed by a project for students to dig deeper, and creation of a product that solves the initial engineering/design problem.

    If you'd like to learn more about the units, this document gives good descriptions of the units by grade level.  

    A little about me:

    I live in Lindenhurst with my wife and son (he will be two in November, 2023!). I have a Bachelor's in Elementary Education from Aurora University and am in the process of finishing my Master's in STEM Education. I am passionate about STEM topics and the believe that STEM education helps students prepare for the future in exciting and engaging ways.

    The 2023-2024 school year is my 12h year in the district and my 7th year teaching STEM (Project Lead the Way). Before moving to the STEM position, I was an elementary classroom teacher (3rd and 4th grades).  I love teaching STEM because the subject and activities allow students to solve real world problems in innovative ways! Though the activities may seem like a lot of fun, there are valuable applications for their future!