Background
The groundwork for Big Shanty STEM was laid over twenty years ago when the school developed the Nature Trail with a gazebo and outdoor working stations. Then in 2014-15 a group of 4 teachers attended a multi-day STEM training from which they began implementing STEM in their classrooms. In 2015-16 all science/math teachers trained in basics of STEM and a STEM Leadership Team was established. In 2016-17 the school implemented quarterly career/STEM days, increased participation in STEM trainings, conducted in-school trainings on inquiry-based learning, and ultimately earned STEM Cobb Certification.
Current 2017-2018 School Year
School-wide Theme: Thrive
School-wide Question: How do we help things that are alive thrive?
Overview: Each grade level is participating in a yearlong study of an issue relating to our central question. Students are conducting research, proposing and planning projects, and collecting and analyzing data over the course of the school year. Though this is a yearlong study, students don't work on it every single day. However, both the STEM teachers and the ELA teachers play a role in their grade level study. Moreover, each grade has established partnerships with experts to support each project. Of course, the quarterly STEM days have also continued.
The groundwork for Big Shanty STEM was laid over twenty years ago when the school developed the Nature Trail with a gazebo and outdoor working stations. Then in 2014-15 a group of 4 teachers attended a multi-day STEM training from which they began implementing STEM in their classrooms. In 2015-16 all science/math teachers trained in basics of STEM and a STEM Leadership Team was established. In 2016-17 the school implemented quarterly career/STEM days, increased participation in STEM trainings, conducted in-school trainings on inquiry-based learning, and ultimately earned STEM Cobb Certification.
Current 2017-2018 School Year
School-wide Theme: Thrive
School-wide Question: How do we help things that are alive thrive?
Overview: Each grade level is participating in a yearlong study of an issue relating to our central question. Students are conducting research, proposing and planning projects, and collecting and analyzing data over the course of the school year. Though this is a yearlong study, students don't work on it every single day. However, both the STEM teachers and the ELA teachers play a role in their grade level study. Moreover, each grade has established partnerships with experts to support each project. Of course, the quarterly STEM days have also continued.