STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math)

In an interactive, supportive environment, pre-k students are encouraged to explore science, technology, engineering, and math using all of their senses through direct manipulation and materials including wooden ramps, wind tubes, natural materials, instruments, and light.

Kindergarteners investigate force and motion through the use of inclined planes, wind tubes, and magnets. Students work through open-ended engineering design challenges that require them to work collaboratively to investigate a problem and identify solutions. Students design vehicles that can roll down slopes, bridges that can hold weights, and instruments that make different sounds. Students deepen their skills in observing, questioning, and communicating by going out into the school garden to explore and document seasonal change in the schoolyard as they notice and record weather data.

First grade scientists deepen their understanding of seasonal change in the school yard by observing outdoors, asking questions, documenting changes in daylight, and exploring shadows to understand the changing positions of the sun, earth, and moon. Students figure out why seasonal change happens and why seasons matter. They build their skills of observing, questioning, and communicating through open-ended engineering design challenges that require them to work collaboratively to investigate a problem and identify solutions. Students apply the engineering design process as they build, test, and re-design vehicles, buildings, bridges, and boats.

Second graders plan and conduct investigations to identify how different materials respond to light. Students build their understanding that different kinds of matter exist and have different properties that are suited to different purposes. After spending time in the schoolyard investigating, recording, and analyzing data about organisms found there, students construct arguments with evidence to support claims about the relationships between environments and organisms. Students also work in teams to practice skills of communication and collaboration as they learn to use block-based programming with Dash robots.

In third grade, students study electricity as they figure out how to add switches, motors, and other components to their circuit design. They apply their knowledge of circuits as they use Makey Makey circuit boards to invent a physical controller for a computer game. Students persevere through technical problems as they identify ways to improve their design for the best user experience. Students also develop and apply their skills in observing, describing, and recording through an in-depth unit on rocks and minerals.

Fourth graders expand their skills in planning and conducting investigations as they design their own experiment using Wisconsin Fast plants. Students document the effects of changing a variable as they collect extensive data sets, graph their data, and write a final report to communicate their results. Students deepen these scientific investigation skills as they build and program a Lego robot that solves a problem in our community as well as through an investigation around community stormwater.

Fifth graders investigate the impact of human activity on the environment through an environmental mystery. Students make a claim using evidence from pH tests, sediment tests, phosphate tests, and population charts to determine who or what is responsible for the environmental disaster. These topics are further explored during a three-night field trip to NatureBridge in Olympic National Park. In fifth grade, students build on their block-based coding skills as they figure out the basics of physical computing through micro:bits and hummingbird robots. Students learn to attach and program LED lights, motors, and sensors to create unique inventions.