Cold Spring curriculum is built around the belief that STEM and the environment should permeate all subject areas. We believe that science, technology, engineering, and mathematics are a part of the fabric of everything in our world today. With this at the forefront, teachers look for ways to explore STEM in English, history, art, music, physical education, social-emotional learning, and more. 

While we do find ways to integrate STEM in all of these subject areas, the three key areas of our STEM curriculum are found in our Project Lead the Way (PLTW) curriculum, math curriculum, and computer science curriculum. 

PLTW’s curriculum is a comprehensive and hands-on educational approach that integrates the principles of STEM disciplines into a student-centered learning experience. PLTW is a widely recognized provider of K-12 STEM programs that offer a project-based, real-world approach to learning. PLTW curriculum supports our STEM focus through project-based learning, hands-on activities, technology integration, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, collaboration, career readiness, and real-world relevance. 

100% of our elementary students participate in quarterly PLTW units and projects taught by their general education teacher. When we were first certified as a STEM school, we utilized PLTW as more of an elective offering for students, but we quickly determined that the hands-on learning, technology integration, and critical thinking and problem-solving skills developed in PLTW would be great assets for all of our teachers. We certified our staff as PLTW Launch Lead Teachers and shifted the PLTW curriculum to our general education teachers. With the creation of our middle school, we had teachers receive PLTW Gateway certification and added these courses as required components of a middle school student’s experience. 

Additionally, we shifted our math curriculum since our first certification. We wanted to provide more blended learning approaches so students could receive direct instruction from their teacher, but also receive additional instruction virtually. After piloting Zearn Math in the spring of 2019, and seeing fantastic NWEA growth and achievement data, we shifted to Zearn Math as our core math curriculum. Zearn Math connects hands-on instruction and immersive digital learning that develops conceptual understanding. It is the only curriculum that is top-rated by EdReports, a leading curriculum review company, for focus and coherence, rigor and mathematical practices, and usability. 

Finally, our Cold Spring computer science program allows Kindergarten through 8th grade students the opportunity to not just work with computers, but to truly understand how a computer works. Our Computer Science Implementation Map showcases the skills that students are working on as they progress in our programming. This document is ever evolving and changing as our students grow deeper in their understanding of computer science and mastery of content develops at younger ages over time.