Lake Hills STEM Magnet Elementary School is proud to announce its selection as one of just 44 schools in the United States invited to pilot the newest science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) program for students in grades K-5. The elementary STEM program is designed and developed by Project Lead The Way (PLTW), the nation’s leading provider of STEM education curricular programs for middle and high school students. By offering this new elementary STEM program to its students, Lake Hills is expanding its high-quality educational offerings for its students.
Studies show that students decide as early as second and third grade whether they like, and think they are good at, math and science. PLTW’s elementary program is designed for students in kindergarten through fifth grades and will align with standards such as Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards. Through a series of topic-based modules, students will engage in design problems that encourage collaboration, analysis, problem solving, and computational thinking.
Shelley Deutscher, the instructor designated as the Master Teacher for the elementary pilot, will help lead professional development for the teachers at Lake Hills who involved in the pilot.
The 44 schools invited to participate in the pilot program will test 12 STEM modules and play an integral role in the development of the final version of the curriculum by providing feedback on their experiences to PLTW. This feedback will influence the development of engaging curriculum and balanced assessment for elementary students, and the creation of effective professional development for instructors. The final version of the elementary program will be available to all school districts in the United States for the 2014-15 school year.
For questions about the Project Lead The Way program at Lake Hills, please contact Shelley Deutscher at 219-873-2105 ext. 6673 or sdeutscher@mcas.k12.in.us.