Working with Our Community

We have engaged with many new and unique partnerships.  Our partnerships are businesses that provide us with such great insight and help us stay connected to the latest and newest knowledge in STEM fields. They present and offer opportunities for enrichment during our STEM week. We recognize that STEM careers are always changing and so it is crucial for us to engage with community partners and experts in the field of STEAM to provide high-quality learning opportunities to our students. We partner with many professionals throughout the year. During weekly PLCs, we brainstorm community partnerships that will support our lessons. This school year, we have invited a carpenter, meteorologist, Porsche team member, and National Park ranger to connect learning to the real world.  During the school One Fair, students complete inquiry-based projects in science, technology, engineering, or social studies fields which allows us to have judges from Georgia Tech, Emory, and KSU judge our projects.

We have currently partnered with KSU to help us develop our PBLs and make sure we are providing the best instruction available. We have a group of parents who volunteer and present on their STEAM careers during Super Specials every three weeks. Some examples of lessons are using the STAR Lab to teach about space and weather, a data scientist presenting ways to sort data and represent it, and a beekeeper presenting on how bees help our world.

Finding experts to support SPARK requires a strategic approach to identify individuals who possess the necessary knowledge and expertise in the subject areas that are important to your community. In weekly PLCs, we follow this process.

1. Define the Needs: Start by identifying the specific areas where your school curriculum and community could benefit from additional expertise. Consider the goals and objectives of the curriculum, as well as the needs and interests of the students, teachers, and other members of the community.

2. Research Potential Experts: Once you have identified the areas of need, research potential experts who may be able to support the curriculum and community. Look for individuals who have experience in the relevant subject areas, as well as a track record of success in their field. We start by using our parents.

3. Reach Out to Potential Experts: Contact the potential experts you have identified and introduce them to your school and community. Explain the goals and objectives of the curriculum and community, and discuss how their expertise could benefit the students and community members.

4. Plan Weekly Curriculum Activities: Work with the experts to plan weekly curriculum activities that align with the goals and objectives of the curriculum. This could involve guest lectures, workshops, or other activities that provide students with hands-on learning experiences and exposure to real-world expertise. 

SEE OUR STEAM EXPERIENCES CALENDAR

5. Brainstorm with People to Support Community: Finally, brainstorm with members of the community to identify additional individuals or organizations that may be able to support the curriculum and community. This could include local businesses, community organizations, or other experts who have a vested interest in supporting education and community development.

By following these steps, we identify and engage experts who can support your school curriculum and community, and create a dynamic and engaging learning environment for students.