STEM
Areas of Focus
Welcome to the STEM Lab! My mission is to transform our youngest learners into bold explorers and creative problem solvers. In this classroom, Science and Technology aren't just subjects in a book—they are tools we use to understand the world. We dive deep into Engineering by getting our hands dirty with real-world construction skills, where students learn to build sturdy structures and use tools safely. Through the Engineering Design Process, students learn to brainstorm, prototype, and test their ideas, discovering that "failure" is just a necessary step toward a better solution. We bring the sky into the classroom by mastering the physics of flight through professional flight simulators and hands-on drone piloting, teaching students the precision and logic required of modern aviators. We also bring imagination to life through 3D design, where students take their ideas from a digital screen to a physical 3D-printed object. Students learn construction skills. Incorporating the engineering design process into construction and carpentry training shifts students from simple imitation to intentional problem-solving. By blending logic with high-tech creativity, I help students see that they don't just live in the world because they have the power to build it.
Student Impact
Stem has inspired me to be more creative. Mrs. Reynolds taught me how to do wood-working and use tools. I love how she lets me bring stuff home and she always is open if you are stuck on something, and that makes me wanna do something similar like that in middle school. And that's why I thank Ms. Reynolds for teaching me how to build many things and think out of the box. -Akshara
STEM is such a fun pathway. Mrs. Reynolds is kind, patient, and understanding. She teaches you how to work with construction and how to do better in things. The experience in her class is amazing. You get to do things with groups and wood. It truly is amazing. I hope the next person that gets her pathway loves her just as much as I did. -Peyton Hart
STEM Journal Exemplars
Student Engagement
Building Bridges
Sensory Board Service Project
Ms. Michelle Reynolds, the Construction Ready Elementary Construction Teacher of the Year, is proving that the most powerful lessons happen when kids build something together and that construction readiness starts with empathy.
Home Depot Field Trip
Since 2025 Mrs. Reynolds has brought her construction students to Home Depot to learn about our local Home Depot and to build a little builders kit.
Alliance Field Trip
Since 2022 Mrs. Reynolds has taken her flight students to Alliance Academy to learn more about the avaition program at Alliance High School. Alliance Academy gave Mrs. Reynolds a flight simulator to use in her STEM classroom at Whitlow.
Forsyth Central STEM Partnership
Since 2019 Mrs. Reynolds has partnered with Forsyth Central's STEM department. The FCHS STEM students come to Whitlow and lead different STEM activities during the Science and STEM pathway times.
East Forsyth Field Trip
Since 2024 Mrs. Reynolds has brought her construction students to East Forsyth High School to learn more about the construction pathway offered at EFHS.
Construction Ready Career Expo Field Trip
Since 2024 Mrs. Reynolds has brought a group of students to the Skills USA Career Expo held at the Georgia World Congress Center. The students are able to learn about different careers and get hands-on experiences with the different trades. In 2025 Mrs. Reynolds students was interviewed by CNN en Espanol, and her students were the classroom featured at the Construction Ready booth. In 2026, Mrs. Reynolds' student participated in a live build with HGTV 's Chip Wade.
High School Intern from Alliance
During the 2025 - 2026 school year, Mrs. Reynolds had a high school intern. The high school intern was a senior from Alliance High School. He taught students how to fly the flight simulator, assist with classroom projects, and he led a drone station at the Building My Future: Skills for Success event on March 27, 2026.
STEM students create projects made from wood
Students i n kindergarten - fifth grade learn how properly use tools and create wood working projects in Mrs. Reynolds' STEM class.
STEM kindergarten students learn how to code using VEX robots
Kindergarten students learn basic programing skills as they program the VEX robots.
Community Partners
Construction Ready
Since 2023 Mrs. Reynolds has partnered with Construction Ready. Clint Pruitt of Consruction Ready has visited Mrs. Reynolds' STEM classroom numerous times to help her students. Construction Ready has also provided hands on training to Mrs. Reynolds. Construction Ready has also sent teachers and district leaders from across the state to observe Mrs. Reynolds' STEM classroom.
Masonry Association of Georgia
Since 2025 Mrs. Reynolds has partnered with the Masonry Association of Georgia. The president of the Masonry Assoication of Georgia visited Mrs. Reynolds' STEM class, and he taught her students about the masonry trade.
Home Depot
Mrs. Reynolds takes her construction students to Home Depot to tour the store, learn about the business, talk to the managers of the different departments. Home Depot also volunteered at the Building My Future: Skills for Success Event on March 27, 2026. They brought over 200 little builder kits for the students to complete at the event.
Board Meeting
On December 9, 2025 Whitlow Elementary was able to present to the Forsyth County Board of Education. The STEM and Media Productions pathways were highlighted during the meeting.
Elementary Construction Ready Teacher of the Year 25-26
On December 2025 Michelle Reynolds was named the 25-26 Elementary Construction Ready Teacher of the Year for Georgia.
Building My Future: Skills for Success Event
Mrs. Reynolds had a vision to create a CTAE event for Forsyth County Elementary students. The Building My Future: Skills for Success event was held on Friday, March 27th. The event had over 75 volunteers and over 200 3rd - 5th grade students from 6 different elementary schools in the county.
Forsyth County Education Foundation - Duck Grant
In 2025 Mrs. Reynolds won the Forsyth County Education Foundation Duck Grant. She received 2 3D printers for her class.
Building My Future Article
Rotary Club Meeting
On Tuesday, April 7, 2026 Mrs. Reynolds and another CTAE teacher from FCS presented to the Lanier Rotary Club about K-5 CTAE in Forsyth County and the Building My Future Event.