Our STEM Story

Cloverleaf Elementary School is nestled in the heart of Bartow County, a growing suburban community located in northwest Georgia. It was formed when two local schools combined: Smithville and Peoples Valley. Originally founded in the 1940s, Cloverleaf has played an integral part in educating Bartow's students for many years. Over time, Cloverleaf has adapted to meet the needs of its students and changes in education. For a season, it was a Fine Arts School and was later a pay-for-performance pilot school.

Cloverleaf's STEM journey began in 2017 as part of a Bartow initiative to foster 21st-century learning skills in our students. Through the vision of district STEM leader, Paula Camp, and former Principal, Dr. Evie Barge, the school began building a STEM culture and identity. Trainings for teachers focused on 21st century skills, STEM pedagogy, the engineering design process, and technology. 

In 2020, third graders designed the school's first chicken coop as part of a unit on heat. The coop was built by Cass High School construction students under the guidance of Mr. Jerome Black. With the help of the local UGA Extension team, Cloverleaf adopted three Leghorn hens and affectionately named them Matilda, Dorothy, and Opal after favorite book characters. Allison Perkins, of UGA Extension, was essential in establishing care for the hens and continues to support the Cloverleaf Chicken Club as they care for the girls. The Chicken Club provides eggs to local children's shelter, Flowering Branch, and to grade levels as needed for STEM challenges. 

Cloverleaf earned Bartow STEM certification in 2021. Since then, the school continues to value and strengthen STEM practices and culture within our school community. Grade levels have added gardens to support pollinators, and students work to solve problems such as erosion and waste.