The Reading Revolution Blog

First STEM Vending Machine Launches in Buffalo

Written by David Gaygen | Oct 2, 2024 4:00:14 PM

STEM Education took an exciting leap forward today. Global Vending Group, makers of Inchy's Bookworm Vending Machine unveiled its latest innovation: Morgan's Marvelous STEM Vending Machine. Launched at BuffSci Elementary School, this innovation promises to transform how students engage with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

Bridging the Gap in STEM Education

More than 75% of Americans think we are falling behind in global science and technology. This makes the need for new STEM education solutions very important. Morgan's Marvelous STEM Machine tackles this challenge directly. It uses a reward-based system to make STEM learning fun and engaging.

How It Works

  1. Positive Behavior Reinforcement: Schools can customize behaviors they want to reward.
  2. Token-Based System: Students earn special Morgan tokens for demonstrating desired behaviors.
  3. STEM Activity Selection: Students can exchange tokens for STEM activity products.

4. Hands-On Learning: Students engage with their chosen STEM projects, fostering critical thinking and creativity.

A Strategic Approach to STEM Education

Morgan's Marvelous STEM Machine isn't just about dispensing products; it's a comprehensive program designed to:

Why STEM Matters

According to recent data, U.S. students rank just 12th out of 37 OECD countries in science scores. With STEM jobs expected to grow by almost 10% by 2030, preparing students for these opportunities is crucial.

Principal Brianna Lanoye of BuffSci Elementary School emphasizes STEM vending's value to her school. "This is not just an incentive for our students' hard work but a gateway to creativity, curiosity, and learning for our young learners."

Addressing Systemic Inequities

Launching Morgan's Marvelous STEM Machine at BuffSci Elementary is a step towards addressing the underrepresentation of students from low-income and low-opportunity areas in STEM fields.

"We must equip our students with the tools and knowledge to be successful in an ever-evolving world," Principal Lanoye states.

Expert Perspectives

Dr. Joseph Polat, Executive Director of BufSci shared his excitement. "This innovative tool presents a significant step forward in how we engage STEM Education by creating a fun, hands-on approach that fosters curiosity and problem-solving."

Jason Blumberg, Founder and CEO of Global Vending Group, adds, "Today is a very special day. We are introducing the first STEM Vending Machine to North America. This idea came back in 2019 when we were launching the original Inchy's Bookworm Vending Machine. We want to help make the classroom dynamic and engaging, and this machine does exactly that. Imagine students eagerly approaching this vending machine, not for snacks or trinkets, but for hands-on STEM kits, coding challenges, and interactive projects that ignite their imagination. This machine will serve as a gateway to a world of exploration, where learning isn't confined to textbooks.”

 

The Future of STEM Learning

Morgan's Marvelous STEM Machine builds on the success of Inchy's Bookworm Vending Machine. The original Book Vending Machine has proven to boost literacy and positive behavior. By applying this model to STEM education, Global Vending Group reinforces learning as a reward, not just an assignment.

This is only the beginning. As Dr. Polat said, "This innovative tool presents a significant step forward in how we engage STEM Education. By creating a fun, hands on, approach we foster students natural curiosity of problem solving." Morgan's Marvelous STEM Vending Machine will encourage future scientists, tech experts, engineers, and mathematicians, one token at a time.

For more information about Morgan's Marvelous STEM Machine and how it can benefit your school, contact Global Vending Group today.