Culture of Learning

At Davidson Academy, we strive each day to prepare our students for college, life, and eternity. Stakeholders of Davidson believe that STEAM is the way of the future for our students and prepares them for their next level of education. Our STEAM mission defines the learning culture we desire: “Davidson Academy is dedicated to providing a rigorous learning environment where Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) converge. Our mission is to equip the next generation of problem-solvers and innovators by fostering a collaborative climate that encourages critical thinking, creativity, and hands-on, experiential learning.” Davidson Academy students consistently engage in curriculum that systematically integrates academic content across all STEAM disciplines. Students are engaged in learning opportunities that challenge and provoke critical thinking across all grade levels from elementary, to middle school, to high school. These learners use the Engineering Design Process to imagine, plan, build, create, and test projects within a variety of classroom settings from preschool classes, to related arts classes, high school technology classes, middle school robotics, our Davidson Academy STEAM lab, and the general education classroom at all divisions. These projects align with our Tennessee State Standards and work to further enhance student learning and application. Many of these inquiry-based projects allow students to work in groups where they use the 4Cs of critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity to accomplish the task. Educators throughout our campus have both the 4Cs and the Engineering Design Process posted in their classrooms. Using these skills, our students are systematically engaged in learning that helps them to make deeper connections with the world around them.

Professional staff members implement a formal, systematic STEAM curriculum at all academic levels at Davidson Academy. Educators provide a challenging STEAM curriculum based on standards and benchmarks. The Davidson Academy elementary school division actively engages student learning through projects and challenges that incorporate the processes and practices of STEAM across all major content areas. The Davidson Academy middle and high school divisions have added one STEAM activity or lesson per quarter in each course to increase STEAM engagement in the classroom.  There are also specific courses offered in middle and high school which provide innovative practices in alignment with STEAM. Some of these classes include Robotics, STEAM Lab, Electronic Music, AP Computer Science, Web Design, Interior Design, Graphic Design, Film/Video Production, and Computer Applications Using Spreadsheets and Databases.