#1 Science Technology Engineering Mathematics (STEM)
We took a great step this school year when we introduced Project Lead the Way (PLTW) to our students in the middle years program (MYP). Students were introduced to Design/Modeling and Automation/Robotics. PLTW offers great learning experiences for our students and we plan on expanding the program by adding courses to enhance our students learning. Next school year, we will all the Biomedical Program for MYP students and introduce key STEM concepts in our primary years program (PYP) through the PLTW program entitled LAUNCH.
To support our focus on STEM in our PYP program, we applied for a grant from the Louis Calder Foundation to fund the implementation of the PLTW LAUNCH in grades K-5, (pltw.org for more information). We received notification on Tuesday, April 8th that we were awarded the $15,000 grant.
This means additional funds to support our K-12 extension of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) program PLTW (Project Lead the Way).
A special "shout out" also goes out to Ms. Linda Kehoe (Parent) and Mr. Scott Copley (Science Teacher) who introduced our students to ROBORAVE which has enhanced our students interest in mathematics and technology!
To further our goals to implement a quality STEM PLTW program, Ms. Sheley Wimmer (Teacher), Robin Yoder (Parent, SAC Chair), Megan Walsh (Parent, PTA President), and Diane Gunn Miles (Business Manager) took our student council members to Santa Fe to ask legislators for funding. They returned triumphantly with legislative appropriations of $70,000 to implement PLTW and $50,000 for technology. WOW!
A special "shout out" to Ms. Sheley Wimmer who also wrote the Perkins Grant to supplement funding for the implementation of our Biomedical Program in grades 9th - 12th.
#2 Technology in Every Classroom
This additional funding will also support our goal for next year in adding technology in every classroom. At this time we plan to add 2-3 desktop computers in every classroom to further support research and writing. PYP classrooms will also have 10 IPADS (per classroom) to support the PLTW LAUNCH program.
