Connections Made at Collier County Public Schools Promote Communication

On March 10th, the day before Spring Break, a special Science event was held at each of the Collier County Public Schools to highlight a goal from the years of the Pandemic – to increase communication and acceptance of each other. The science demonstration shows that when students/people join hands with each other and complete a circuit with a “conductor tube” (thanks to Steve Spangler, our recent STEAM Keynote Speaker at the annual STEM Conference in January), they achieve “connection” with each other.

Here’s how they prepared for and executed this culminating experience. Throughout the year, students were put in small groups called “Connect for Success” during two school days per week for 30 minutes. Each group included students who may or may not be acquainted with the others. This was a safe place with certified staff members who were not their regular teachers. They helped them organize their subject notebooks and supported discussions about community. 

Students were introduced to circuits along with the concept of communication and making honest connections with each other as a prerequisite to the culminating activity before Spring Break.

There were a few complaints brought by citizens who felt this activity was a waste of time because students would not want to hold hands and it could be disruptive on the last day before Spring Break. I beg to differ. Classes and groups across the three levels, elementary, middle and high schools practiced in small groups with appropriate guidance and the meaning of “connections.” 

The culminating activity was to involve the entire student body of each school connecting together to complete a circuit. I visited Lely Elementary School to observe the event and it was captivating. Each of the grade levels had a separate color of tie-dyed t-shirts that they had created themselves, thanks to a generous donation from a supporter. They sat together in one huge rainbow of smiles and colors, creating a circle that reached around the outside of the courtyard. 

When it was time to conduct the experiment, they clasped hands and the Energy Stick lit up when the circuit was completed. The students were told there would be an air horn that they’d hear when the tube lit up and they were elated when the horn sounded after their very first try. The students learned many lessons from this activity. One student told me, “We are stronger when we work together.” Another smiled and said, “I love science!”

Across Collier County, our public schools were making magic happen on this special day, with a dose of dedication, and Connecting for Success via an activity that the students at Lely Elementary won’t ever forget.