At Lakeview Elementary, STEM instruction is integrated throughout the curriculum, including in special area classes. Teachers adhere to the Indiana Academic Standards and the school corporation's curriculum maps. Teachers are provided with common planning time as well as time to meet as professional learning communities in order to develop engaging lessons, review student data, and instruct according to student needs. Teachers often incorporate community partners such as the Indiana School of Education and others to provide resources, real world connections, and enhance career education opportunities.
At Lakeview Elementary, the STEM curriculum is thoughtfully designed to foster interdisciplinary learning while ensuring alignment with Indiana Academic Standards. At least 75% of the planned, integrated STEM units are evidence-based, leveraging the PBL and Engineering Design Process as the primary framework for teacher-created units. This model promotes active learning and inquiry-based exploration, supporting students in developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The curriculum selection is grounded in extensive research, including studies emphasizing the effectiveness of hands-on, project-based learning in improving student outcomes across science, technology, engineering, and math disciplines. Sample integrative lesson plans, such as a unit combining mathematics and engineering concepts in designing sustainable structures, align directly to Indiana Academic Standards and demonstrate the curriculum's cohesive, standards-driven approach to STEM education.
At Lakeview Elementary, the integrated STEM curriculum has been implemented with fidelity since 2019, with continuous refinement and enhancement over the last five years. The curriculum implementation plan is designed to ensure integration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics across grade levels, engaging students in hands-on, real-world learning experiences. A detailed timeline outlines the phased rollout of the STEM curriculum, beginning with foundational units introduced in 2019 and expanding to more complex, interdisciplinary projects each subsequent year. This approach ensures that every student receives a comprehensive, standards-aligned STEM education that builds upon prior learning and prepares them for future academic challenges.
Lakeview is committed to implementing a comprehensive computer science curriculum that is accessible to all students. As part of this initiative, we provide block coding instruction to our student population, fostering foundational skills in computational thinking and problem-solving. This curriculum extends beyond coding basics, incorporating robotics and other physical computing applications to create engaging, hands-on learning experiences. By embedding computer science education into our curriculum, we are equipping every student with essential skills for the digital age.
Indiana's Employability Skills Standards for elementary students focus on developing essential skills for future success. These include career awareness, personal responsibility, teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and digital literacy. Through integration into classroom activities, students at Lakeview learn to work effectively with others, manage their time, think critically, and use technology responsibly. Through our PBL hands-on activities and real-world scenarios, they develop skills that prepare them for both academic achievement and future careers.
At Lakeview Elementary, ensuring access and opportunity for all learners is a top priority. General education teachers collaborate closely with special education and support service staff to design and refine STEM curriculum that meets the diverse needs of students. Through this collaborative planning, they identify the academic needs of each learner and develop tailored materials and supports to foster success in STEM subjects. This ongoing collaboration ensures that all students have equitable access to high-quality STEM education and the tools they need to thrive.
At Lakeview Elementary, STEM assessment is a key part of student learning, with at least 75% of teachers using a variety of formal and informal, formative and summative methods to track progress and evaluate instructional effectiveness. Teachers utilize quizzes, performance tasks, projects, and rubrics to assess understanding and provide constructive feedback. Collaborative grade-level teams design assessments aligned to STEM units, ensuring consistency across grades. Samples of student products, such as engineering designs or science investigations, demonstrate how assessments capture student learning and drive continuous improvement. This approach helps provide personalized feedback that supports student growth in STEM.