School District 146’s Fierke Education Center Tecchies

The Fierke Education Center Tech Club, a club dedicated to further enhancing the skills of students in technology, is completing a successful first year. 

Tech Club Sponsor Liz Grigas said, “This has been an unbelievable maiden voyage into this new club. When we first announced the Tech Club we received an overwhelming number of applications to join.  It was so exciting to know that the students at Fierke were so passionate about expanding their technological learning field and their new in-classroom technology.”  Mrs. Grigas is a 2nd grade teacher at Fierke Education Center. 

Mrs. Grigas indicated that the club took a total of 40 students in two grade level groups.  The 2nd and 3rd graders work with Mrs. Grigas, and Mrs. Kumke, and students from 4th and 5th grades work with Ms. Buerger and Mrs. Williams. 

School District 146 has been leading the way in the area of education technology. D146 has equipped all of their schools with iPads Apple TV, and Google Chromebooks. Mrs. Grigas, who is just one of the many D146 teachers embracing the technology, feels it is very important to push further with the skills that the students are learning.  “Our D146 students are curious as to how things are done with iPads, so it only made sense to put this club together and help to further the technology talents of our students.  We further exposed students of all ages to the many capabilities of the iPad.  Some of the apps we use include: Book Creator, iMovie, Puppet Pals, I-nigma QR code reader & QR Code generators, Doodle Buddy, etc. We want students to feel comfortable using the apps so they can become more confident & creative in the pieces they create.” 

The after school club ran from November through March meeting twice per month on Wednesdays. Interested Fierke students can inquire about next year’s Tech Club. “With all of the new devices and technology in the building, we thought it would be a fun way to introduce the kids to a variety of apps on the iPads and to explore their creativity. We want to make learning fun!” 

Fierke Education Center parents that are interested and want more information about the club for next year may contact Mrs. Grigas at lgrigas@district146.org for children entering grades 2-3 in the fall, or Ms. Buerger at cbuerger@district146.org  if your child will be entering grades 4-5.