Montgomery Public Schools continues to inspire young minds with hands-on learning experiences that engage students in real-world problem-solving. Recently, Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School (MLK) hosted an exciting STEM Food Truck Day event that offered students the chance to explore entrepreneurship and develop essential skills in innovation, teamwork, and creativity.
The event, organized by Monica Davis, MLK STEM teacher, was an opportunity for students to dive deep into the process of starting a business, from brainstorming to designing and constructing their own food trucks. Principal Booker MacMilliam was fully on board when the idea was pitched, recognizing the value of teaching students about entrepreneurship and the process of turning ideas into reality.
"The idea for this event came from Monica Davis, our STEM teacher, in her first year with us. When she approached me with the concept, I was immediately on board. We wanted to give students the chance to explore entrepreneurship—showing them that making a dream a reality involves both success and failure. We’re encouraging our students to embrace risk-taking early on, and this event was a great way to do that," said Principal MacMilliam.
Working in groups, students designed their own food trucks, created menus, and even came up with names for their businesses. They learned about cost considerations, branding, and working together to bring a vision to life. Students also learned the importance of assigning roles and responsibilities within their groups, which helped them develop leadership and communication skills.
"The students particularly enjoyed brainstorming and collaborating. They loved designing their food trucks and coming up with their menus. Assigning roles and responsibilities within their groups was also a key part of the process. It was amazing to see how they approached everything from cost considerations to creative design," MacMilliam said.
These types of events play a significant role in enhancing the students' learning experience. By incorporating real-world skills and creative problem-solving into the curriculum, students are encouraged to think outside the box and develop the necessary skills to succeed in any field.
