Self-Assessment Rating: 3.5

Students are empowered to personalize and self-direct their STEM learning experiences supported by STEM educators who facilitate their learning.

At Pinecrest Academy St. Rose, students are encouraged to take a leading role in defining their educational experiences. All students are stakeholders in the progression and parameters of their learning outcomes. STEM Infusion units are designed to be developmentally appropriate for the students within the specific grade level, but throughout all grades the academic rigor is coupled with contextual relevance to assure that the curriculum addressed has meaning for the individual student.

STEM education at Pinecrest Academy St. Rose, from grades kindergarten through eighth, features an open-ended problem to be considered by the student. It is incumbent upon students to discover their own solutions through research, development, and implementation. This active learning process is both personal to the individual student and self-directed. The role of the teacher is to facilitate this learning by guiding students to the resources necessary to conduct research and providing encouragement for the student when tackling difficult concepts. This type of teacher-student relationship empowers students with a sense of accomplishment earned through making their own discoveries and reaching their own conclusions.

Students document this learning process through interactive notebooks. These notebooks chronicle the student’s thinking processes, ideas, data tracking, sketches, notes, and conclusions throughout the themed unit. One-to-one technology is provided for students at all grade levels, so each has access to the software that will enhance the utilization of the scientific method.

The annual Science Fair provides middle school students an opportunity to pursue their own interests by creating projects they themselves select and explore. Science Fair is the pinnacle of the independent learning experience, but it is but one of many in which the students engage throughout the school year.

Electives

STEAM Gala

Pinecrest Academy St. Rose Campus proudly hosts an annual STEAM Gala showcasing science projects, robotics, engineering projects, graphic design, math projects, art projects, and music showcased throughout the evening.

Beal Bank Science and Invention Fair at UNLV

First Lego League and First Lego League Jr.

Pinecrest Academy St. Rose Campus First Lego League team, Legosaurses, was sponsored by a 5 year Tesla Grant. During their inaugural year, the Legosauruses won many accolades. The Legosauruses won a prize for the best presentation which qualified them to move on to the regional competition. As part of their presentation, they interviewed NASA scientists and the head curator of Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. As part of their research, the Legosaurses were invited to attend the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing! We feel so fortunate that we got to attend this private event hosted by the Aerospace Medical Association. Our students got to meet (and speak with) Astronaut, Dr. Michael Barratt, Apollo 11 Flight Director, Dr. Jerry Griffin, as well as Apollo 11 Flight Surgeon, Dr. Charles Berry. Literally once in a lifetime opportunity!

Legosauruses Junior team was born after several of our younger students saw the amazing competition and work our Legosausues were doing. This team also had to research and present their findings to a panel of judges. In addition, the second season the FLL Jr. was around there was such a high interest of students that an all girls team was created.

Areas to Improve