STEM
Washington Community Schools is proud to offer a strong STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education for students from kindergarten through graduation.
What is STEM?
STEM education focuses on students' engagement in the teaching of subject areas such as mathematics and science by incorporating technology and engineering into the regular curriculum. STEM education attempts to transform the typical teacher-centered classroom by encouraging a curriculum that is driven by problem-solving, discovery, exploratory learning, and requires students to actively engage in a situation in order to find its solution.
Why Focus on STEM?
STEM lessons help students deepen their understanding of important science and mathematics concepts.
As they apply their knowledge during STEM lessons, students can gain a real, hands-on understanding of major concepts.
Students become critical thinkers and decision makers.
Students are free to make informed decisions about how to solve problems that could be solved in any number of ways. Through trial and error, students learn from their mistakes, which are a valuable part of the learning process. STEM lessons revolve around the engineering design process, an organized, open-ended approach to investigation that promotes creativity, invention, and design.
Students develop collaboration skills.
The ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with others in a reach a goal or develop a project is in high demand in the workforce. STEM students work together to brainstorm, research, design, create, and problem solve. STEM gives students ongoing opportunities and guidance to develop collaborative skills.
Students understand how STEM opens the door to future careers.
STEM students understand that the skills they are acquiring can help them be successful as 21st century workers. Through STEM coursework they may become the leaders who improve our economic growth, national security, and our future.
