ST1.1
The STEM school/program supports non-traditional student participation through outreach to groups often underrepresented in STEM program areas.
Embedded Files
ST1.1 Narrative
ST1.1 Narrative
Strengths
Through daily STEAM integration, students are exposed to inquiry-based learning that is aligned to content standards as well as opportunities to explore in a variety of learning environments. Using the STEAM design process, students solve real-world engineering problems through project-based units of instruction. These experiences include STEAM Challenges, Passion Projects, Interest Clubs, STEAM Camp, Makerspace, and STEAM Lab. Students have access to technology on a daily basis to create and design solutions to real-world problems. Communication and creativity are at the forefront of student development. At LES, intentional decision making is based on data trends that tap into students' strengths, interests, and undiscovered talents. Teachers are able to provide and emphasize creative opportunities that are rigorous and content-focused. These opportunities ensure that ALL students are exposed to STEAM learning through various STEAM programs.
Weaknesses/Challenges
An identified area of opportunity is the need to provide additional data based on subgroups within the school. With this data, we are able to differentiate and offer equal opportunities. Another weakness is the lack of a community and teacher forum that is solely concentrated on STEAM and STEAM career-building skills. It is our goal to break barriers and misconceptions of STEAM related jobs by putting structures in place to cultivate these skills. Currently, forums at LES are mainly focused on academics.
Action to Sustain Strengths/Action to Address Weaknesses
In order to sustain, LES will continue providing students the opportunities to participate in STEAM embedded activities through class instruction and outreach programs. Teachers will continue to participate in professional development opportunities that support STEAM integration.
In order to address our school's weaknesses, LES educators are exploring a more comprehensive look by drilling down the data to evaluate current programs into subgroups and focus on the need for a Girls in STEAM or alternative program that highlight challenges beyond the students' control. In order to understand student and community needs best, Lincoln Elementary School will provide additional forums focused solely on the expansion of STEAM and STEAM career building skills.
Key Exemplars
Key Exemplars
(Core Values, Goals, Objectives, Strategies, Action Steps)
PBL with STEAM
PBL with STEAM
At LES, we are leveraging the strengths of both PBL and STEAM for ALL students at Lincoln Elementary School. These components help us target rigorous learning in content areas. Students are actively solving problems, taking ownership of their learning, and applying content in real-world contexts. By embedding STEAM, students take on the role as scientists, mathematicians, engineers, artists, and technological experts. Through the engineering design process, students are allowed voice and choice when creating prototypes that bring their projects to life. They are allowed to critically think about the process and find solutions that best fit the problem proposed by the teacher. As an end result, students are assessing their STEM literacy skills and reflecting on their project design using formative and summative rubrics.
Outreach Programs
Outreach Programs
Genius Lab
Genius Lab
What's your passion? During enrichment time each day, Genius Lab students come to work on their passion project, whether it is individual or with a partner. Genius Lab time is for students in second through fifth grade. The goal of Genius Lab is to increase student self-motivation and excitement for learning. Students select a topic they are passionate about. They develop an inquiry question about this topic, research it, and plan a project with a culminating presentation to share with classmates and families. All finished products are located on the Genius Lab Google Site and the grade level STEAM Google Classroom.
STEAM Summer Camp
STEAM Summer Camp
STEAM Camp is a time for students to apply what they have learned throughout the school year with the design framework. Students are selected through an application process to attend a week filled with fun and challenging activities facilitated by trained STEAM teachers. With a STEAM approach, students are allowed to explore different content areas and areas of study. STEAM Campers have many opportunities to work collaboratively with others to create and explore STEAM tools using the engineering process. Our goal is to encourage children to be lifelong learners, critical thinkers, and action-takers.
LES Leadership Team & Rockstar PE
LES Leadership Team & Rockstar PE
The Student Leadership Team is an integral part of many day to day activities at Lincoln Elementary School. Team members serve as breakfast monitors, hall monitors, tour guides for visitors, and they conduct the daily announcements. Occasionally, students from the Leadership Team serve on teacher interview panels. One responsibility of being on the Leadership Team is to serve as a mentor during our Daily Rockstar PE. Rockstar PE is a newly implemented enrichment program for our special education students. The Leadership Team and the PE Department work together to implement adapted physical education activities and games for students with all disabilities. Our goal is provide a physical outlet that will help students reduce or cope with anxiety, stress and depression. With the support and involvement of our Leadership Team, our special education students are developing a sense of self-esteem and worth, as they may often feel isolated from a group. Students are being taught how to work together as a team, how to solve problems, and how to complete problem-based tasks. Not only do our special education students benefit from this program but our general education students are learning a sense of compassion toward others.
Gifted and Talented Program
Gifted and Talented Program
The Gifted and Talented Program at Lincoln Elementary School makes up approximately thirty percent of our population in grades 3 through 5. Gifted and talented children are those who have demonstrated the potential to perform at high achievement capabilities in the areas of intellect, creativity, art, or leadership. To fully develop these capabilities in our gifted and talented students at Lincoln Elementary School, Kindergarten through second grade students receive accommodations with consultation and collaboration with the gifted specialist. Students in third through fifth grades participate in weekly pull-out instruction with the gifted specialist. Instruction for Gifted and Talented students includes problem-solving, collaboration, communication, creativity, hands-on exploration, inquiry-based tasks, technology integration, STEAM, ongoing PBL, passion projects, real-world application and field trips.
Student Interest Clubs
Student Interest Clubs
All students are involved in school-wide Interest Clubs 4 times a year. At the beginning of the year, we host a school-wide club expo describing the club choices. Teachers offer a wide variety of clubs based on students' interests. Students have voice and choice when joining clubs. Clubs provide our students with a sense of belonging. These clubs and activities are a great way for students to interact and collaborate with others. Our club day is a multifaceted educational experience that refines students' academic and interpersonal/social skills . Clubs were started through the Leader In Me Initiative. Examples of Student Interest Clubs are HipHop Club, Slime Club, Breakout Club, Harry Potter Club, Mad Scientist Club, Globe Trotters, Cooking with Books Club, and Spanish Club.
LES Houses
LES Houses
Following research on the success of The Ron Clark Academy and the chance to visit the school, the LES Leadership Team cultivated the beginning of the LES version of the House system. LES Houses represent LES as a united family. Each house name relates to an attribute of the LES vision. The names were generated from the Swahili Language. These names represent STEM Literacy Skills. For example, Muumba means creator.
Lincoln, Alabama is a rural community and our students come from a variety of home environments. The concept of the house system provides students a sense of belonging and accountability. Community service projects are a future endeavor of the house system. Students in tech team created a LES House Song as a representation of our school and what it means to be part of a house.
LES House Song by C & P Music Team
Chandler & Presley Tech Team Partners
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