We consider our curriculum as the skeleton of our STEM program. Just as bones provide a form for the body to stand, our curriculum provides the rich rigorous strength for our STEM program. Curriculum, for teaching STEM lessons, consists of CREATE2THINK, Project Lead the Way, and teacher-made project-based, as well as community-based learning experiences. 

CREATE2THINK curriculum is used with 100% of our students and delivered by our dedicated STEM teacher. This curriculum is grounded in the 5E Model of Instruction. “The 5E Model of Instruction includes five phases: Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate. It provides a carefully planned sequence of instruction that places students at the center of learning. It encourages all students to explore, construct understanding of scientific concepts, and relate those understandings to phenomena or engineering problems.” –Rodger Bybee

With the CREATE2THINK curriculum, students are given a scenario and then, after exploration and extensive research, create a hands-on project to complete the unit. There are a minimum of 4 units for each grade level K-5. This curriculum also offers employability skills so that students are exposed to future-ready careers and qualities needed to be successful in those careers.

Project Lead the Way (PLTW) is delivered by classroom teachers at least twice each semester. Currently, 50% of our grade levels have been trained to present PLTW lessons to their students. PLTW is a rich and robust curriculum vetted by the Indiana Department of Education as a platform for STEM instruction. PLTW lessons are evidence-based with rigorous research and multiple practices.

Having been a part of the PBL Works training, many of our classroom teachers are now creating project-based and community-based STEM lessons to engage their students. PBL lessons deepen learning and help students achieve success in college, career, and life.These lessons are shared with other teachers across our district. Collaborative planning time is used to refine lessons and plan engaging instruction. “PBL can be transformative for students, especially those furthest from educational opportunity. Now more than ever, we need young people who are ready, willing, and able to tackle the challenges of their lives and the world they will inherit - and nothing prepares them better than Project Based Learning.”

In the early part of 2022, all of our teachers will have the opportunity to be trained in project-based learning through Equitable Education Solutions. With 100% of our teachers trained, we will continue to build rich STEM units that engage students in critical thinking, creative thinking and transformational challenges.

"Evidence-Based Practices Overview." https://ngss.sdcoe.net/Evidence-Based-Practices/Evidence-Based-Practices-Overview. Accessed 24 Oct. 2021.

 "Why Do We Focus on Project Based Learning? | PBLWorks." https://www.pblworks.org/why-project-based-learning. Accessed 24 Oct. 2021.