What is STEM Education?

• STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.

• STEM education is the integration of these 4 disciplines into the curriculum with a commitment to hands-on, collaborative and cooperative learning.

• STEM education is critical thinking and problem solving.

Why is STEM Education Important?

• In order to compete in the global economy, STEM education has become a national priority.

• STEM jobs are growing at a faster rate than non-STEM jobs.

• The number of skilled STEM workers in the U.S. does not meet the demand of available STEM jobs.

Why is STEM Education Important?

• Businesses are forced to go abroad to fill STEM jobs.

• STEM education is the key to meeting current and future job market demands for STEM skilled workers.

STEM Education at Kincaid• STEM Council:

– Consists of school administrators, teachers, Foundation and PTA– Constructed a 5-year strategic plan to fully integrate STEM education into the

curriculum.

• This includes:– Facility upgrades to convert the existing science lab to a STEM lab.– Hiring a STEM lab instructor.– Teacher collaboration.– The use of technology in everyday learning.– Hands-on STEM based projects, ex. STEM Expo.– STEM school certification.

STEM Education at KincaidWhat It Will Look Like

• Curriculum:– STEM lab will be an expansion of the science lab.

• Lessons are based on the science curriculum with technology, engineering and math incorporated into the lessons.

– Collaboration with grade level teachers, science lab teacher, and computer lab teacher facilitated by a STEM lab instructor.

– STEM lab and computer lab instructions will be closely tied.

STEM Education at KincaidWhat It Will Look Like

• Facility Changes:– Incorporate the building of a new STEM lab and computer

lab with the K-building Project (SPLOST).– The new computer lab will be located next to the STEM lab

so students can access technology during STEM lessons.– The existing science lab and computer lab will remain for

teacher led STEM activities.– STEM lab will include an outdoor garden area as an

extension of the hands-on learning.

STEM Education at KincaidWhat It Will Look Like

Sope Creek Elementary STEM Lab

STEM Education at KincaidWhat It Will Look Like

Sope Creek Elementary STEM Lab

• Equipment:– Additional laboratory equipment to support STEM

curriculum– Additional equipment for the computer lab

• Color printer• Scanner• Software to do code programming• Lego robotics program

– Additional computers and smartboards to create STEM learning centers

STEM Education at KincaidWhat It Will Look Like

What is the Kincaid Foundation Contributing?

• Through its fundraising efforts, the Kincaid Foundation currently funds the science lab and science lab teacher.

• The Foundation is raising money to transition the existing science lab to a STEM lab. This includes:– Hiring a STEM lab instructor.– Purchasing a color printer and scanner for the computer

lab.– Purchasing additional laptops for school wide use.

Why does the Foundation Need to Raise Money?

• The initial cost estimate for Phase 1 of transitioning the science lab to a STEM lab is $35,000.

• The funding for the STEM lab will not be provided by the school district and must be raised through the Foundation.*

* Excludes facility upgrades as part of K-building Project through SPLOST funding.

How Can You Help?

• Support the Foundation’s STEM-tastic Capital Campaign to bring a STEM lab to Kincaid.

• Donate! Donate! Donate!• STEM-tastic Capital Campaign will kickoff Mar. 5th

and run through Mar. 26th.• The class with the highest percentage of STEM-

tastic donations will win a hands-on STEM party from Wheeler HS Magnet students.

STEM Expo Locations

• Kindergarten – Classrooms• 1st Grade – Classrooms• 2nd Grade – Cafeteria• 3rd Grade – Classrooms• 4th Grade – Classrooms• 5th Grade – Classrooms