NARRATIVE

A focus on real-world and locally relevant issues, which encourage the use of skill sets that are key components of the STEAM instructional framework, is evidenced by many of the projects undertaken by all grade levels. These experiences, performed individually and collaboratively, advocate creativity and conceptual problem-solving adeptness. All students use a similar engineering design process to find creative solutions to the problems presented to them in classroom STEM challenges and through creative STEM integration via various avenues. Each grade level collaborates to write STEM challenge plans during collaboration time. Examples of these lessons can be found on our teacher Schoology or Haiku pages. We work together vertically so students build on the knowledge they have and continue to grow. Shared experiences and units across grades and classrooms lead to our continued growth as well. Many of these projects are accomplished because of the strong relationship that exists between Winfield City Schools and local government as well as business and industry.

At WES we also provide ourselves not only in STEM but STEAM learning. We seek to provide students with opportunities to incorporate art into their units of study when applicable. Through project-based learning, students are challenged to discover real-world problems and solutions while solving these problems in a way that fits their learning style.


Strengths: Winfield City Schools' strength in this standard is Engagement. Every student has the opportunity to engage in collaborative, inquiry-driven STEM learning with inquiry-based learning units. Students are given multiple opportunities in every grade level and subject area. All faculty and staff members are engaged in designing, implementing, and refining inquiry-based learning for our students.


Opportunities to Improve: Winfield City Schools needs to focus on improving Embeddedness and Sustainability within this standard. The school has had a few bumps in the road with changing administration and the COVID pandemic that has kept our growth at a slower pace than we would like. In addition, many of our large projects are being revamped from year to year, but a few of our projects have been put aside rather than reimplemented and revised to better fit students learning needs.