Lory Keller, a fifth grade English Language Arts and Science teacher at Dakota Elementary, has recently been awarded the North Dakota Teacher Innovation Grant. Lory proposed to purchase a CO2 3D laser cutter, which is a cutting tool that uses a beam of light to precisely cut a wide range of flat materials, to provide the fifth graders at Dakota Elementary with the opportunity to capitalize and learn more about science, technology engineering, and math.

The students will be able to use this laser cutter as a foundation to build up and be better prepared for a future in STEM careers. When asked how Lory felt about winning this grant, she emphasized that she was thrilled to have won but her main focus is always how this can benefit the students. In her own words she stated, “at the end of the day it’s about the kids, it’s about what’s good for them and what helps them for their future.”

Lory described how her intention for this laser is to build a good foundation in STEM related education, so that her fifth-grade students are better prepared for the more challenging course work in the upcoming grades. The CO2 3D laser not only gives the students the advantage for building a better foundation in STEM related learning, but it also provides a way to expand the students creative and retail skills, and is a great way for the school to earn extra funding by selling the products the students help to create.

Students will be able to get a better understanding of what it takes to create a product from start to finish. Lory’s hopes are that the students will be able to establish an idea for a product and work hard to follow through with that idea by creating their product and working through any mistakes. They will learn to adjust their thinking to problem solve, and finally will be able to sell their final product in the school store. By working through their mistakes and learning to try again when it isn’t right the first time, the never give up attitude is reinforced, and the children will learn to try and try again until they succeed. Students will also be able to gain a sense of pride for their accomplishments.

The CO2 3D laser will be able to cut into wood, put the school logo onto bags, etch into keychains, frames, mugs, and so much more. The limitations of what is possible is only truly limited by the students’ own imaginations.

When asked what project will most likely be the first, Lory shared that she believes the students might be interested in working on bags and keychains first. The uses for the bags are also endless, for example they could be used at the grocery store or to hold students’ winter gear at school. She hopes the children are able to create a larger variety as well as bigger projects in the future, and that the children will be able to take what they learn and are able to apply it in their lives perhaps even to a future business. Another goal Lory described was to inspire forward thinking, by planting the seed so the children can grow and thrive from what they learned and apply that to their lives.

The CO2 3D laser will be ordered soon and should arrive before the school year ends. Although this year’s fifth graders won’t have as long with the laser, future fifth graders will be able to take full advantage of this wonderful opportunity.
Let’s all congratulate Lory Keller for her amazing idea and thank her for helping our students get this amazing opportunity to work with the CO2 3D laser.

We have some truly amazing teachers here at Minot AFB.