Purpose: The purpose of our program is to enrich students’ lives by exposing them to the world of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and robotics challenges. Students will explore complex problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Through research and investigation, students advance their confidence in solving real-world problems. Our district program is in alignment with CoderZ where students will learn how to code virtual robots accompanied by a step-by-step curriculum and gamified missions completely online. The focus of our program is on learning; however, campuses may choose to participate in the Houston area challenges.
Mission: GPISD Elementary STEM/Robotics works to expose and increase awareness of engineering and technology to all GPISD elementary students and our local greater Houston community by providing hands–on experiences and opportunities.
Vision: GPISD Elementary STEM/Robotics is to create opportunities for inspiring young people to be science and technology leaders by engaging them in programs that build science, engineering, and technology skills that inspire innovation, and foster well–rounded life capabilities including higher-order thinking, self–confidence, communication, and leadership.
Groups meet at least 2 times per month with periodic check-ins depending on the current assignment. The sessions can be before school, after school, or on Saturdays. The time is structured with a variety of activities, from research, building, challenges, explorations, and hands-on robotics and coding. Using CoderZ, schools sign up to compete and engage students through gaming and competition in STEM, coding, and tech literacy. CoderZ League is cloud-based, available on any device, and uses a simulation of virtual 3D Robots to perform complex tasks and missions. The virtual experience makes it easy to design, program, and test a simulated robot in a variety of 3D environments. Teams of students work collaboratively to program, plan, and complete missions.to promote exploration, critical thinking, collaborating, and problem-solving.
The Science Survivor Series gives students the opportunity to compete as 6-man teams in problem-solving, critical thinking and creativity through Science. Each of our 15 campuses will select a coach and team of students to represent them at the competition. The students will practice possible challenges with their teachers on their campuses but they do not know what the actual challenge activities are until they walk into the challenge rooms.
The student teams are given materials and a set of instructions; they must work together to complete the task in three categories: academic, building, and creativity. Using a rubric, judges will score how well they did. At the end of the day, everyone will celebrate their accomplishments and the students are rewarded for their hard work.