PHOTO GALLERY: Benton first-graders learn though hands-on activities in STEM program

October 15, 2012 | 6:46 p.m. CDT

First-grade students at Benton Elementary School learn basic shapes during a drawing activity in Katie Mayabb's art class Oct. 4. The class is part of Benton's STEM curriculum that teaches kids about science, technology, engineering and math through hands-on activities.

First-grade students at Benton Elementary School draw rough pencil outlines of castles using basic shapes such as rectangles, triangles and semicircles Oct. 4. The lesson is part of art teacher Katie Mayabb's STEM curriculum that teaches kids about science, technology, engineering and math. | Kile Brewer

First-grader Chris White works on a drawing of a castle in Katie Mayabb's art class as part of Benton Elementary School's STEM program Oct. 4. | Kile Brewer

Benton Elementary School art teacher Katie Mayabb paints a castle that is used as an example in a first-grade art class Oct. 4. The castle is made up of basic shapes to help students to identify shapes as part of the school's STEM program. | Kile Brewer

First-grade students at Benton Elementary School listen to art teacher Katie Mayabb explain how to draw a castle using basic shapes Oct. 4. | Kile Brewer