Science, technology, math and Libby schools

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) are incredibly important in the education of today’s youth.  

As we read about the staggering numbers of unemployment rates, the occupations in STEM fields do not have enough skilled people to fill all of the jobs!  Students who are educated in, and have a passion for the sciences, technology, engineering and math, will never need to worry about a lack of a job.  

Right here, Libby offers many excellent careers in STEM for students to experience, as well as look forward to if they have a strong desire to come back and settle down in their hometown.  

Libby students in the Middle/High School had the amazing opportunity to learn from many of these local STEM field organizations.  

The Army Corp of Engineers at the Libby Dam put together a spectacular day of hands-on learning for Libby 8th grade students on April 17.  Eighth graders received an in-depth tour of the dam by the engineers themselves, and were able to see the fascinating equipment from the inside.  

But students did not just walk through the dam, they were challenged by everyday math equations along the way that pertain to their 8th grade math class as well as to how the engineers calculate the water and needs of the dam daily.  

The 8th grade class was very interested to learn about underwater life at the dam, Didymo, the flow of water, the measurement of water, the drafting and structure of the dam as well as what it takes to be a park ranger, engineer, drafter, and biologist.  

As a bonus, students were more than thrilled to get to throw water balloons while calculating distance and depth of water.

Fish Wildlife and Parks and Cabinet Peaks Medical Center created an incredible STEM learning opportunity for Libby 7th grade students on April 24.  

At the Fish Wildlife and Parks, students enjoyed being guided through the process of catching, tagging and studying fish.  As well as the process of tracking and studying bears in our local forests.  Seventh graders were inspired by careers in the outdoors and working with wildlife, while having the opportunity to ask questions about the educational paths they would need to take to pursue a career in fisheries and wildlife biology.  

Students were equally treated at Cabinet Peaks Medical Center to experience careers in the sciences of medicine.  

Medical professionals introduced students to medical technology, the basics of rehab, CPR, and nursing.  

As well as learning the ropes of lab work.  Students enjoyed getting to work hands on with CPR training dolls, getting to look through microscopes at blood tests, and practice rehabilitation with a physical therapist.  

Libby 7th grade students walked away from the whole STEM experience with a well-rounded view of what health science and wildlife careers are available in Libby, and what they entail, as well as what it takes to pursue a career in these fields.

The Lincoln County Environmental Health partnered with local entities to provide Libby 9th grade students with a fascinating day of learning about the facts of our local mining history on May 1 and on May 8.

Ninth graders have enjoyed learning about the history of our environment and our people.  

Students are proud of our mining and logging heritage, and the Health department teamed up to give our students a factual day of information to instill in them the truth and the facts of our local history.  Students began by learning about the very beginnings of life in Libby and the discovery of vermiculite and asbestos.  

They stood near the Rainy Creek entrance and listened to past employees of the W.R. Grace Mine while imagining what it was like when Libby was a busy town with many hard workers in and out of Rainy Creek every day.  

Ninth grade students learned about the different forms of asbestos and the effects of asbestos on the human body through a geology and anatomy lesson.  

Students were inspired by career fields pertaining to environmental cleanup at the EPA Information Center, and well informed as to how the Lincoln County Environmental Health Department tests for and studies asbestos in our area.  The CARD clinic offered students a tour of the clinic, while teaching them about the technologies used with asbestosis patients.  

Libby 9th grade students have gained a much greater knowledge of facts pertaining to our local history and the mining that made our community famous, and can confidently speak on the subject to shine light on our beautiful town.

Professionals from many entities of STEM fields in Libby have genuinely offered Libby students exciting and educational learning days outside of the classroom.  

Much hard work and planning went into these special learning opportunities for Libby students by the caring community of Libby.  

Our students are more aware of STEM careers in our community and many are thinking that pursuing a career in a STEM field will be rewarding and worth the hard work.

-Ruth Van-Worth Rogers is principal of Libby High School.