S.T.E.M.
(Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)
The South Windsor Public Schools elementary STEM program uses the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Launch program. The PLTW Launch curriculum is designed especially for the elementary learner. It is aligned with the Common Core for math and English language arts (ELA), and corresponds with the new Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). In addition to teaching the engineering design process and introducing the idea of STEM to students early in their education, this program reinforces skills learned in Math, ELA and Science. It also serves to further develop cooperative group work and problem solving skills that are transferred to all other content areas. The PLTW model uses a problem-based approach to learning. Students are engaged in real life problems that they solve through designing and testing different solutions. The students apply new knowledge learned to different situations throughout the course of the year. The goals of STEM are to:
Foster cooperative group work and problem solving skills that can be transferred to all other content areas to enrich students learning experience.
Achieve scientific literacy by preparing students to apply new knowledge learned to different situations and different content areas.
Develop scientific and engineering design skills in our students so that they can approach problems in multiple ways as well as revise, reflect and communicate their results to better society.
S.T.E.M. Units
Animal Adaptations
Students explore animal adaptations for protection, camouflage, food obtainment, and locomotion. Students learn what it means for an organism to be adapted to its environment and how different adaptations can be categorized.
Animal Adaptations Design Project
Students are introduced to a design challenge which includes a specific scenario. Students are challenged to design the ideal shoe for travelers to wear in extreme environments, applying what they have learned and using plant and animal adaptations to guide their designs.
Additional Resources
Where to go for additional information and support
