At Northpoint Elementary, our staff is dedicated to building meaningful connections and fostering relationships with our students to create an environment where they feel supported, safe, and valued. We are committed to nurturing a culture of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) by encouraging students to adopt a growth mindset and take ownership of their learning.  Our goal with STEM initiatives is to equip students with the skills needed to become the next generation of thinkers, innovators, creators, advocates, and entrepreneurs—empowering them to solve real-world problems and contribute to society.  We use feedback from surveys of all stakeholders to guide our ongoing efforts and ensure that our STEM culture continues to evolve and grow. Our administration actively supports this mission by providing professional development opportunities for staff, creating dynamic learning spaces, and fostering strong partnerships with parents and the broader community to build and expand our STEM programs.

The STEM Committee at Northpoint Elementary School is a collaborative group composed of teachers from various grade levels, staff members, and administrators who work together to make data-driven decisions that advance our mission of integrating STEM education into the curriculum. In addition, the NES STEM team partners with our STEM Advisory Board, which includes parents and community members who are passionate about supporting our STEM initiatives. These diverse stakeholders bring valuable perspectives and ideas, all focused on ensuring the best outcomes for our students. 

Northpoint Elementary School thoughtfully designs its master schedule to provide daily common planning time for each grade level whenever possible. Every two weeks, grade-level teams collaborate with the Teacher Leadership Team to plan and discuss district-wide focus goals. STEM planning is a key expectation during these collaborative sessions and is integrated into the master schedule. Additionally, our teachers work together during professional development sessions, with a strong emphasis on instructional strategies aligned with the 5E model.

To assess students' attitudes toward STEM education, Northpoint Elementary administers a K-5 STEM Interest Survey twice a year. Additionally, a K-5 Career Interest Survey is conducted biannually to explore students’ potential career pathways. The data collected from these surveys is shared with teachers, guiding the integration of relevant STEM topics and programs into their classrooms. 

The STEM programming at Northpoint Elementary actively involves all stakeholders, including students, parents, staff, and community partners. They are invited to participate in a variety of events and activities designed to enhance our STEM initiatives. Following these experiences, stakeholders are encouraged to provide feedback through various surveys, which we use to continually improve and expand our STEM program each year. 

The administration and STEM committee at Northpoint Elementary developed an evaluation tool called the Northpoint STEM Walk-Through Feedback Form, designed to assess and enhance STEM instructional practices. During classroom observations, conducted by peers or administrators, evaluators use this form to provide targeted feedback on key instructional indicators. The data collected from these observations helps teachers refine and improve their teaching strategies, fostering continuous growth in STEM education.

At Northpoint Elementary, we ensure that every student has access to integrated STEM instruction and programming.  Our enrollment data will demonstrate that all students receive dedicated STEM education during protected times throughout the school day.  The master school schedule will show that students in grades K-5 are actively engaged in STEM-focused curriculum.  We are committed to providing equal access to these learning opportunities for all students, fostering an inclusive and equitable educational environment.