STEM

What is STEM? Texas STEM Education Definition

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) education is a method of hands-on teaching and learning where students learn to apply academic content by creatively solving real-world problems with innovative design-based thinking to prepare students for future career opportunities.

The 2024-25 school year is the first year of our new campus, Candlewood STEM Academy for PK-1st grade students. It is our goal that the Candlewood STEM Academy will allow our students with diverse backgrounds to gain skills needed to acquire STEM jobs and develop problem solving skills. Our mission is to have a PK-5 ecology-based elementary school that provides all students with a safe and supportive community as well as opportunities for real, world, hands-on learning and challenging, grade-level tasks which will prepare them for rigorous STEM pathways in secondary school and beyond.

Our Instructional Vision and Beliefs

Relevance in the real world

• Hands-on learning

• Application to Real-World

• Engineering Design Process

 

Balance of direct instruction & inquiry

• Direct instruction for more efficient, structured learning
• Inquiry for deeper, conceptual learning.
• Introducing concepts through direct instruction: Then, allowing students to explore the concept further through inquiry

 

Equitable Access to Grade Level Tasks

• Writing Across Content

• Thoughtful Conversations

• Progress Monitoring