esponding to an expressed need on the part of high schools and colleges for a middle school program that prepares students to participate in high-level math and science programs, SPS opened STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Middle Academy (STEMM) in September 2008.  Through the most recent round of Magnet funding STEMM will partner with Expeditionary Learning (EL) to hone and deepen the school’s curriculum and school culture.

Personalized Environment:

This small middle school Academy features an instructional approach designed to meet students where they are and lead them through an engaging sequence of high level, challenging academic courses.  EL structures, such as crew in which teachers and small groups of students meet together in “advisories,” enable teachers to learn about student’s individual strengths and areas of challenge while students get to know their teachers and each other on a more personal level.  Students will participate in important EL protocols, such as Student Led Family Conferences and Passage Portfolios that enable them to reflect on and showcase their learning in concrete ways.

STEMM Course Offerings:

By offering Science and Social Studies every day, students at STEMM are able to meet their academic requirements earlier in the school year, leaving a 10-week period at the end of the year to dive into hands-on projects and activities in space exploration, robotics or forensics. The Paxton-Patterson Engineering Lab provides students with hands-on learning through carefully sequenced engineering modules. Students may also explore technology offerings like podcasting, CAD, Geocaching, etc.

 Partnerships:

To help make these advanced offerings connect to the real world, STEMM engages professionals in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math to serve as mentors and instructors. Joining these professionals will be a cadre of college professors and interns who have particular expertise in the STEM fields.

Resources:

- STEM October Newsletter (PDF)