S.T.E.M.
(Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)
Embedded Files
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
Structure and Function
Structure and Function
Students discover the design process and how engineers influence their lives. They explore the elements of structure and function by identifying products around them designed by engineers and asking questions engineers might ask. They are introduced to a design problem through a story in which a young girl wants to design a paintbrush. Students apply their knowledge from the module to design their own paintbrushes.
Animals and Algorithms
Animals and Algorithms
Students explore the nature of computers and the ways humans control and use technology. Starting with an unplugged activity, students learn about the sequential nature of computer programs. Students are inspired by a story in which students make videos to teach preschoolers about animals in their habitats. Then, students work in small groups to design and program a simple digital animation about an animal in its habitat.
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