stem academy
Hoover High School Cluster STEM from Paul Devermann on Vimeo.
San Diego Rotary’s STEM Initiative with SDUSD began in early 2013 with a community meeting that included representation from UCSD, SDSU, the San Diego Science Alliance and San Diego Incubator for Innovation’s Art of Science Learning, as well as San Diego Rotary. At that meeting we learned from the experts in attendance that, while many local STEM programs already exist, more needs to be done. A program incorporating the following features would add something new and would be most likely to succeed:
- Start with elementary students
- Provide ongoing, hands-on, project-based curriculum, building on current programs
- Target underserved youth
- Support teachers
We chose to work with Joyner Elementary School and its after-school program as the initial site for STEM enrichment; 8 STEM activities (6 with Ocean Discovery Institute, 1 each with ThoughtSTEM and a tech/maker workshop) were held throughout the year with Rotarians there to work with the students to assist the professional facilitators. The program/format can be replicated easily at other schools and at a recent meeting with the committee of Rotarians and broader community representatives/experts, plans for continuation/expansion were drafted. Focus will be on a longer term, sustainable model that carries STEM exposure and programming from K – 12 throughout the Hoover “cluster” of 13 schools helping mitigate the current STEM learning gaps, and bridging the articulation between elementary, middle and high school.
Funding Source:
Rotary Club of San Diego
SDUSD Contact:
Doug Arbon, Chair