Model: A culture of inquiry and creativity exists between and among the STEM school/program students, teachers and administrators and emphasizes the inclusion of all students in the culture.
6.1 - Culture of Inquiry
Patriots STEM Elementary works hard to encourage innovation and creativity in all the members of our school community. We use the EIE (Engineering in Elementary) design process to support problem solving. We have created posters with our Red Hawk logo for all classrooms around the school. We encourage the use of the Engineering design cycle in all areas of the curriculum. Our teachers have all received professional development about how to apply the design cycle to engineering tasks but also math problem solving, comprehesion strategies, and behavior management.
Our PBL lessons are natural ways for students to use inquiry skills and their creativity. Students are often given freedom to choose how to present their learning and show what they are able to do.
Our design squad also encourages a culture of creativity within our school. Students are challenged each month with a design challenge. Participants are awarded certificates and recognized in front of their peers.
Each month students participate in clubs during the school day. Many of our clubs are based on student interests and encourage students to dive deeper into topics that interest them.
These posters are hanging in each classroom in order to help train students to think like an engineer and use this process in all areas.
This club choses topics that they are interested in. These 1st grade girls are studying about and making rainbows!
Groups designed stages for the super bowl half time show
Students designed weather tools
Building bridges
How well do different materials insulate?
Making music with math and science
Students rewrote, acted, and produced their own version on Miss Nelson is Missing. Of course sunglasses are a necessity at a movie premier!
5th grade buddies worked with Kindergarten students to build homes that will help the pilgrims survive the winter
Below are just some of the opportunites students at Patriots participate in throughout the year. Students use inquiry skills and get creative with the engineering design process.