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Self-Assessment Rating: 4
Students work independently and collaboratively in an inquiry-based learning environment that encourages finding creative solutions to authentic and complex problems. Self-Assessment Rating: 4
Instructional Delivery
Instructional Delivery
Amping Up Engagement and Depth of Knowledge
Amping Up Engagement and Depth of Knowledge
Pinecrest Academy of Nevada - Cadence Campus provides teachers with the tools to advance student learning. Teachers participate in monthly professional development opportunities directly related to strategies to increase engagement, collaboration, and depth of knowledge. After teachers participate in trainings, PAC's in-house Instructional Coach collects observational data for the purpose of providing feedback and support to teachers in the implementation of research-based best practices.
Developing 21st Century Skills
Developing 21st Century Skills
Pinecrest Academy of Nevada - Cadence Campus provides students of all ages with the necessary 21st century skills required for college and career. Inquiry-based STEM lessons are taught in each and every grade level. In accordance with Nevada Academic Content Standard and the Next Generation Science Standards, STEM lessons are built into the long-range plans in order to ensure quality instruction for every student. STEM instruction at Pinecrest Academy Cadence focuses on developing problem solving, creativity, critical thinking, and collaborative skills. In an effort to develop consistency through vertical alignment, PAC utilizes the Pinecrest Academy Design Process in every classroom. Students are taught to work both independently and collaboratively through problems utilizing the stages of the PAC Design Process. As students cross content areas and advance grade levels, the vocabulary and structure of the design process remain the same.
Elementary STEM in Action
Elementary STEM in Action
STEM-Infused Units
The PAC STEM Committee has worked with system-wide STEM leaders to create and implement quarterly STEM-infused design challenges in all elementary grades. During these units, students solve real-world problems connected to topics covered in the literacy curriculum. These challenges allow students to practice key problem-solving skills when imagining, planning, creating, and improving their designs. To strengthen critical-thinking skills, students are guided to determine relevant facts, ask critical questions, investigate multiple solutions, and test out their theories. Throughout the journey, students work collaboratively to share ideas, plan together, and offer feedback to one another. At Pinecrest, we believe critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity should be nurtured continuously. Our design challenges provide the opportunity for students to engage in the entire engineering cycle throughout the year. In addition to design challenges presented in the general education setting, Pinecrest also invests in a STEM specialist who provides weekly instruction to all elementary students in the areas of science, engineering, and technology.
4th Grade
4th Grade
System-Wide STEM Challenge
System-Wide STEM Challenge
1st Grade
1st Grade
System-Wide STEM Challenge
System-Wide STEM Challenge
Students building working arcade games in STEM
1st graders presenting animal adaptation designs from System Design Challenge
Kindergarten collaborators building a protective casing for an abandoned penguin egg
2nd graders using 1:1 technology for independent research on animal habitats
2nd grader asking live digital guest speaker research questions to prepare for habitat projects
5th graders collaborating on STEM integrated oil spill challenge
Secondary STEM in Action
Secondary STEM in Action
Electives and STEM Coursework
Our secondary science classes bring real-world applications into classrooms through Science and Invention Fair projects in the fall and Passion Projects in the spring. Science and Invention Fair projects require students to incorporate their 21st century skills within the engineering design process. Passion Projects allow students to explore their personal interests within STEM fields while advancing creativity and communication skills.
In addition to challenging science and mathematics courses, Pinecrest Academy Cadence also offers middle school and high school electives such as Exploring Aviation, Computer Science Discoveries, Aviation Technology CTE, AP Computer Science Principles, Zoology, Cyber Security CTE, Intro to Archeology, Intro to Physics, Broadcast News, Graphic Design CTE, MATHCOUNTS, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, and Speech and Debate/Think Law.
Pinecrest Academy also offers clubs and activities to enrich students’ knowledge in chemistry, drones, engineering, aviation, gardening, and mathematics. Students in 5th grade and higher are provided Chromebooks to enrich learning by promoting collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, communication, and problem solving.
Building & Testing Airplanes
1:1 Technology for Collaboration
Building Robots using VEX Kits
Project Lead the Way
Project Lead the Way
Pinecrest has adopted Project Lead the Way as one of its many tools to better serve STEM education in Nevada. PLTW is a Nevada Governor's STEM Advisory Council's approved program that provides an empowering and engaging learning experience for students and teachers. PLTW modules focus on in-demand career pathways and inspire our students to internalize problem-solving skills while tackling complex, real-world problems.
PLTW Launch
PLTW Launch
Last year, Pinecrest incorporated Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Launch to enhance the STEM curriculum for all elementary students. Initially, PLTW was facilitated through our STEM specialist while classroom teachers focused on quarterly integrated units. Due to the success of the program and because of a desire to increase hands-on, meaningful STEM learning experiences for our students and teachers, PAC invested in PLTW certification for every general education teacher and now incorporates PLTW Launch units into every general education classroom.
- Homeroom Class
- Kindergarten: Pushes and Pulls (Engineering)
- Grade 1: Light and Sound (Engineering)
- Grade 2: Materials Science- Properties of Matter (Engineering)
- Grade 3: Stability and Motion- Forces and Interactions (Engineering)
- Grade 4: Energy Conversion (Engineering)
- Grade 5: Infection Detection (Biomedical Science)
- STEM Lab
- Kindergarten: Structure and Function Human Body (Biomedical Science) & Animals and Algorithms (Computer Science)
- Grade 1: Light- Observing the Sun, Moon, Stars (Earth and Space Science) & Animal Adaptations (Biomedical Science)
- Grade 2: The Changing Earth (Earth and Space Science) & Materials- Form and Function (Engineering)
- Grade 3: The Changing Earth (Earth and Space Science) & Variations of Traits (Biomedical Science)
- Grade 4: Input/Output Computer Systems (Computer Science) & Input/Output Human Brain (Biomedical Science)
- Grade 5: Robotics and Automation (Engineering)
PLTW Gateway
PLTW Gateway
Since its opening in 2016, Pinecrest Academy of Nevada - Cadence Campus offered challenging science and mathematics courses while concurrently providing middle school and high school students with interest-based choices through a wide array of STEM electives. Because of a desire to ensure vertical alignment from elementary to secondary and provide even more demand-based STEM programs, Pinecrest has begun adding Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Gateway modules to its secondary course offerings. Currently, PAC offers the Medical Detectives units through a PLTW-certified teacher.
Goals for Improvement
Goals for Improvement
- Instructional Delivery
- Additional coaching and support for new teachers to increase the use of engagement strategies, higher-level questioning techniques, and collaborative conversation strategies
- Elementary STEM
- Improve and expand STEM-Infused Units developed around core curriculum
- Increase the number of Project Lead the Way Modules taught in general education
- Enhance PLTW modules through meaningful integration of core content
- Add STEM extension activities for increased family engagement
- Provide more STEM-centered after school clubs
- Secondary STEM
- Provide cross-curricular planning opportunities to secondary teachers to provide STEM challenges which span multiple classrooms/disciplines
- Increase STEM electives/PLTW modules offered to secondary students
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