District receives K-5 STEM grant
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Tacoma Public Schools elementary students will have enhanced science opportunities thanks to the Elementary Engineers $9,966 Entrepreneur grant that Michelle Morrison and Roy Tatlonghari, science instructional facilitators, applied for – and received – from Washington STEM, an organization advancing innovation, equity and excellence in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education.
Through the integration of hands-on Elementary Engineers curricula with their Full Option Science System (FOSS) science kits, Tacoma Public Schools seeks to motivate students, particularly those in underserved communities, to pursue additional math and science courses in secondary school.
Furthermore, the critical thinking and problem-solving skills and process as students create designs and test alternative solutions will result in increased student achievement in math and science. Support from Washington STEM will provide pilot materials and release time for cross-district grade-level teams to identify the most promising modules to use and where they best reinforce scientific and mathematical concepts aligned to the state standards. These teams will also develop lesson plans and guides that will later be used for broader-scale district implementation and professional development.
"By designing and implementing STEM lessons that align with our state's science curriculum, students have opportunities to apply science content into real world situations," said Michelle Morrison, a K-5 STEM specialist. "As teachers promote engineering practices and problem solving with students, science content begins to make sense and students start seeing themselves as engineers."
Check the Washington STEM Facebook page on the morning of March 27 when the organization will highlight Tacoma Public Schools as a newly funded partner.
Washington STEM partners with education, business and community leaders to bridge opportunities in education and economy that reimagine STEM education for all students, starting with those most underserved and underrepresented in STEM fields. Learn more on the Washington STEM Web site or join the conversation at Facebook, or follow STEM on Twitter @washingtonstem.