This story is featured in the summer edition of Pioneer Pages. Click the link below to view the full digital version.
Pioneer Pages - Summer 2026 (Link)
When students return to Monroe Elementary this fall, they will be greeted by something far more meaningful than a new piece of artwork.
They will see a permanent reminder of what can happen when an entire school works together.
Thanks to a $5,000 Ohio STEM Learning Network (OSLN) and Battelle STEM grant, written by first grade teacher Lexus Wolf, Monroe Elementary transformed an ambitious vision into reality through the STEM Mosaic Design Challenge, a yearlong project that combined science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and art while bringing together every student from preschool through fourth grade.
The result is a striking mosaic installation featuring eight individual “house” panels surrounding one larger collaborative panel representing Monroe Elementary. More importantly, the project gave every student a chance to leave a permanent mark on their school.
The project was designed to do much more than create a colorful display. It aimed to build school community, provide leadership opportunities, encourage collaboration across grade levels and give every student ownership in a shared accomplishment. Through Monroe’s house system, each panel also reinforces the school’s “Be” expectations by reflecting the identity and spirit of its eight houses.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
When students return to Monroe Elementary this fall, they will be greeted by something far more meaningful than a new piece of artwork.
They will see a permanent reminder of what can happen when an entire school works together.
Thanks to a $5,000 Ohio STEM Learning Network (OSLN) and Battelle STEM grant, written by first grade teacher Lexus Wolf, Monroe Elementary transformed an ambitious vision into reality through the STEM Mosaic Design Challenge, a yearlong project that combined science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and art while bringing together every student from preschool through fourth grade.
The result is a striking mosaic installation featuring eight individual “house” panels surrounding one larger collaborative panel representing Monroe Elementary. More importantly, the project gave every student a chance to leave a permanent mark on their school.
The project was designed to do much more than create a colorful display. It aimed to build school community, provide leadership opportunities, encourage collaboration across grade levels and give every student ownership in a shared accomplishment. Through Monroe’s house system, each panel also reinforces the school’s “Be” expectations by reflecting the identity and spirit of its eight houses.
Every Student Had a Hand
Construction began in May, and every Monroe student contributed in age-appropriate ways.
Preschool students used clay and geometric cookie cutters to create clay pieces for the mosaics, helping them explore shapes while contributing to the larger project.
Students in kindergarten through fourth grade arranged recycled tile and mirror pieces, glued tiles into place, mixed grout and solved problems when patterns or tile placement needed adjustment. Along the way, they learned about materials, mixtures and the engineering process while seeing firsthand how careful planning leads to successful results.
The mosaics were created using recycled tile and mirror, donated tile from Gary Coia and additional mosaic tile purchased through the grant.
When construction was complete, students compared their finished mosaics with the original paper designs they had created months earlier. Seeing their ideas transformed into permanent artwork helped students recognize the value of planning, perseverance and collaboration.
Building Community Through Collaboration
The project brought together far more than students.
Teachers and staff supported the project during every stage, while community volunteers donated their time to assist with construction and organization.
Members of the freshman education cohort, accompanied by Justin Henig, Carla Quick and Becky Krall, worked alongside Monroe students during the mosaic work days. The future educators helped manage materials, supported younger students with tile placement and experienced authentic project-based learning firsthand.
Wolf’s own family also became part of the effort. Her aunt, Virginia, inspired the project after completing similar mosaic installations in other school districts and volunteered during both construction days. Wolf’s mother and sister also assisted with the project, while her father helped install the completed mosaics.
The collaboration reflected the heart of the STEM Mosaic Design Challenge. Students learned from one another, older students modeled leadership for younger classmates and the entire Monroe community worked together toward a common goal.
A Keepsake for Every Student
The learning experience extended beyond the permanent installation.
During Field Day, every Monroe student created an individual mosaic using take-home kits purchased through the grant. Students applied the same skills they had practiced throughout the year, including patterning, spatial reasoning, design planning and creativity, to create a unique piece of artwork of their own.
The individual mosaics ensured every child had a personal connection to the project and a tangible reminder of their STEM learning experience. Students proudly took their creations home to share with their families, extending the impact of the project beyond the school walls while reinforcing engineering design, problem solving and artistic expression.
A Lasting Legacy
The STEM Mosaic Design Challenge demonstrates what authentic learning looks like when students tackle meaningful work together.
Instead of completing an assignment destined for a classroom bulletin board, Monroe students spent the year designing, calculating, building, revising and creating something that will welcome students, staff and visitors for years to come.
More importantly, they learned that science, technology, engineering, mathematics and art are most powerful when combined with creativity, collaboration and community.
“I truly enjoyed seeing this project come together from start to finish,” Wolf said. “It was exciting to watch our entire school community work together to create the mosaics and develop a sense of pride and connection to this lasting addition to Monroe Elementary.”
Today, the finished mosaics stand as colorful works of art. They also serve as lasting reminders that every Monroe student played a role in creating something bigger than themselves, a project that will continue inspiring future students each time they walk through the school’s doors.
