Standard 9 - HA

School/program provides within-school and extra-curricular opportunities for students to extend STEM learning.

 

Heritage Academy students are engaged in STEM learning experiences that integrate all STEM disciplines. The PBL units are written by everyone on the grade level that are responsible for covering the standards for English Language Arts, mathematics, and science. The enrichment teachers that are specialist in science (lab educator), music, physical education, arts, and Spanish add to the STEM experience by integrating their subject area standards. Our science lab offers the opportunity for students to participate in experiments using the Engineering Design Process and the scientific method. In music, students have created songs and beats as they studied sound waves. In physical education, they have connected the force and motion standards to create products that encourage students to lead active lifestyles. In art, students have created animals, plants, and recycling art to add to their PBL experiences. In Spanish classes, they have even learned to communicate their ideas in another language.

 

The Educational Technology Specialist assists in introducing new programs to the educators and the students. Students have utilized the 3D printer, created posters using Canva, and improved the playground using Mindcraft.

 

Heritage Academy also has an Innovation Lab where students are given another opportunity to work on their PBL. The Innovation Lab's facilitator is the STEM Program Specialist; however, it is co-taught by the homeroom teacher. The focus in the lab integrates all the disciplines of STEM. Students have designed plants using materials, created mazes, created Microsoft Sway Presentations, and built rafts and bridges.

 

All of the disciplines utilize the Engineering Design Process where students are guided through the process of solving real world problems.

 

Heritage Academy’s STEM theme is Education Through Innovation...Promoting Healthy Living. A student group was formed and named Health Ambassadors. These Health Ambassadors have researched and surveyed the students of Heritage Academy and found that the list below are ways to stay healthy.

Students have also participated in HA STEM and Books Club where students read a book and engage in a STEM Challenge related to the book. For example, students read the Biggest Snowman Ever and then were given six feet of bulletin paper, construction paper, scissors, and glue to create the biggest snowman ever.

 

Wings for Kids offer students an opportunity to build on their STEM competencies after school. Students are involved with the Engineering Design Process and coding.