At Claypool Elementary, our STEM instruction is guided by Indiana State Standards and aligned with the Warsaw Community Schools (WCS) District STEM Strategic Plan for 2024-2029. We provide a robust, inquiry-based learning environment where students engage with core STEM concepts through project-based learning.

Using tools like LEGO materials, Sphero robotics, and coding platforms, students build critical thinking and problem-solving skills while exploring real-world applications of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Our instructional practices are designed to integrate STEM across subjects, meeting state standards and district goals to foster collaboration, innovation, and college and career readiness.

Action Plan Progress:

Instructional practices advanced significantly over the three-year span. In 2023–2024, training for new staff on PLTW curriculum was prioritized, setting the foundation for STEM instructional quality. The 2024–2025 plan enhanced instruction with professional development on inquiry-based teaching, integration of STEM within literacy, and expansion of dissections to all grades 1–6. Learning Walks and coaching feedback loops supported teacher growth. In 2025–2026, the instructional focus will deepen with the expansion of peer observations and coaching cycles, solidifying a sustainable model of high-quality, inquiry-driven STEM instruction across classrooms.

2023-2026 Action Plan Link

3.1 STEM Instructional Approach Training

Claypool School and Warsaw Community Schools (WCS) prioritize a comprehensive STEM instructional approach that emphasizes hands-on learning, collaboration, and real-world problem-solving. Our training focuses on equipping educators with the tools and strategies to engage students in active STEM exploration, using project-based learning and technology integration.

Teachers receive ongoing professional development that promotes the "engage everyone" philosophy, ensuring that every student, regardless of background, is given the opportunity to participate and succeed in STEM learning. By focusing on inclusivity and innovation, our instructional approach aims to inspire students and prepare them for future STEM careers.

Additionally, at Claypool Elementary, our instructional approach is deeply rooted in STEM priorities, ensuring that our teachers are equipped to deliver high-quality, interdisciplinary learning experiences that foster critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. Through ongoing training, we emphasize the integration of science, technology, engineering, and math across all subjects, providing educators with the tools and strategies needed to effectively incorporate STEM concepts into daily lessons. Our professional development sessions focus on hands-on, inquiry-based learning, where teachers learn how to engage students in problem-solving, design thinking, and real-world applications of STEM.

These priorities guide our training in areas such as project-based learning (PBL), the use of technology tools like Spheros and LEGO robotics, and the explicit teaching of employability skills, ensuring that both students and teachers are prepared for the demands of an evolving, STEM-focused educational landscape.

3.1 STEM Instructional Approach Training

3.2 STEM Instructional Approach Implementation

The STEM instructional approach at Claypool School, aligned with Warsaw Community Schools (WCS), is designed to foster innovation, critical thinking, and real-world problem solving. At its core, the implementation focuses on integrating STEM seamlessly into the curriculum, ensuring that students not only acquire foundational knowledge but also apply it in hands-on, collaborative projects.

Using inquiry-based learning and project-based activities, students are encouraged to explore, experiment, and engage deeply with STEM concepts. Both Claypool and WCS are committed to creating an inclusive and engaging environment, ensuring that every student has access to high-quality STEM experiences that prepare them for future academic and career opportunities.

3.2 STEM Instructional Approach Implementation

3.3 Student Instructional Work Groups

At Claypool School and across Warsaw Community Schools (WCS), STEM Student Instructional Work Groups are central to fostering collaboration, problem-solving, and innovation. These work groups allow students to engage in hands-on, project-based learning, with each team member assuming a specific role that highlights their strengths and interests.

Roles within the learning teams may include project managers, data analysts, engineers, researchers, and communicators. By taking on these diverse roles, students develop leadership skills, learn the importance of teamwork, and gain real-world experience in STEM fields, preparing them for future academic and career opportunities.

3.3 Student Instructional Work Groups

3.4 Technology in Instruction

At Claypool Elementary, technology integration is central to creating an innovative, future-ready learning environment. Through tools like iPads, LEGO robotics, Spheros, and Snap Circuits, students across all grade levels engage in activities that foster creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving. iPads support individualized learning, enhance foundational skills, and introduce students to early coding and design concepts. Programmable robots like Spheros and Ozobots provide hands-on coding experiences, reinforcing computational thinking and logical reasoning. Technology is intentionally woven across all subjects—whether using iPads for scientific observations or robotics for geography projects—ensuring students gain diverse, real-world applications of digital tools. Our curated collection of PBL initiatives showcases how technology transforms curiosity into meaningful, tangible outcomes, preparing students to thrive in a technology-driven world.

3.4 Technology in Instruction