WHAT IS A STEM SCHOOL?

The National Inventors Hal l of Fame® School…Center for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Learning

2004 Partnership Concept Paper

Akron Public Schools, the City of Akron, The University of Akron and the National Inventors Hall

of Fame came together with an eye to the future and a desire to capitalize on Akron’s rich foundation in the

sciences to create a new learning center that will reshape teaching and learning and that will prepare children for the rapidly-changing, technology-driven

future ahead of them.

THE BEGINNING…

2004

Spring 2004

Partner Governing Boards and Councils approve

development of Science, Mathematics and

Technology Community Learning Center

Concept… Spring 2004Subcommittees convene…

Partner representativ

es on each committee…

Summer 2004

Research Committee begins site

visits…

December 2004

Funding proposal to

Ohio Schools Facilities

Commission (OSFC)!

March 2004

Potential Partner

Meeting…

Timeline

PartnersExecutiv

e Committ

ee

Project Manageme

nt

Facility

Legal

Technology

Operations

Funding

Curriculum

Communication

Research

Planning Committees

Facts

Fal l 2009: School opening at 400 West Market wi th around 210 fi fth and s ixth grade students The program wi l l serve students of a l l abi l i ty leve ls .

August 2010: School i s housed wi thin the Nat ional Inventors Hal l of Fame fac i l i ty in new and renovated technology dr iven space.

2011-2012: School i s at fu l l capaci ty wi th roughly 400 students in grades 5-8 f rom Akron Publ ic Schools and schools in the region.

The school i s a Profess ional Development School for The Univers i ty of Akron Col lege of Educat ion undergraduate and graduate programs

National Inventors Hall of Fame School®…Center for Science, Technology, Engineering and

Mathematics Learning

Partnerships

History of Innovation

Vision

Economic Development

WHY STEM?

Goodyear Polymer Center-The University of Akron

Charac te r i s t i cs

I n n o v a t i o n a n d i n v e n t i o n h i g h l y p r i z e d i n a l l s t u d e n t e n g a g e m e n t

A c u l t u r e o f q u e s t i o n i n g , c r e a t i v i t y a n d p o s s i b i l i t y

R i g o r i s d e fi n e d u s i n g b e n c h m a r k i n g o f d e s i g n p r o c e s s w i t h s t u d e n t o u t c o m e s

Te s t i n g o f s t u d e n t s t h r o u g h p e r f o r m a n c e b a s e d a s s e s s m e n t s

Te a c h e r s h a v e t h o r o u g h k n o w o f t h e s u b j e c t a n d h o w s t u d e n t s l e a r n

A l l p r o f e s s i o n a l d e v e l o p m e n t f o r t e a c h e r s y e a r l o n g w o u l d u s i n g c l a s s r o o m m a t e r i a l s , i n t e g r a t e S T E M a c r o s s t h e c u r r i c u l u m a n d i s c o n s t r u c t i v i s t i n n a t u r e ( H o r i z o n R e s e a r c h N S F, 2 0 0 6 )

C o m p l i a n t i n s t a t e t e s t i n g a n d s t a n d a r d s a s t h e fl o o r n o t t h e c e i l i n g

A d m i n i s t r a t i v e d e c i s i o n s d a t a d r i v e n w i t h i n t h e m i s s i o n o f t h e S T E M A c a d e m y

J a n i c e S . M o r r i s o n , T I E S ( 2 0 0 6 )

WHAT IS A STEM SCHOOL?

WHY A MIDDLE SCHOOL?

Ability to impact more students and keep them in the “pipeline” of STEM education

Build readiness for a STEM high school program to augment learning and readiness for college and other postsecondary programs

Work with parents about the importance of postsecondary education and the importance of the STEM areas

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE NIHF-STEM

SCHOOL…

NIHF-STEM School Vision

To provide the highest quality education experience for students that ensures creativity

and inventive thinking through a focus on science, mathematics,

engineering and technology.

NIHF-STEM School Goals

Acquire 21st century knowledge and skills

Advance science, mathematics, engineering and technology programming and student achievement

Develop innovative teaching and learning techniques that challenge students and use each partner’s expertise through a Professional Development School

Capitalize on the City of Akron’s rich metropolitan resources for expanding learning and strengthening the community

National Inventors Hall of Fame School®…Center for Science, Technology, Engineering and

Mathematics Learning

National Inventors Hall of Fame School®…Center for Science, Technology, Engineering and

Mathematics Learning

Our Core Values:Innovation: Creation rising from thought, study

and experimentation

Inquiry: Seeking information by asking questions,

exploring and investigating

Inspiration: Igniting ambition and creativity in

ourselves

and others

Integrity: Truth, honor and trust: Doing the right

thing even when no one is watching

Imagination: The ability to use the creative power

of the mind

National Inventors Hall of Fame School®…Center for Science, Technology, Engineering and

Mathematics Learning

At the Akron STEM School, problem-based learning (PBL) is a

foundation in the

curriculum. To ensure its effectiveness for both learners and learning

coaches,

each PBL activity meets several standards.

Problem-based learning activities integrate several content areas.

• Learners work with community experts to solve problems.

• The materials covered include the Ohio Content Standards.

• Learning coaches meet with the program specialist to plan and

monitor status of projects.

Student Success

High Performanc

e Standards Leadership

Knowledgeable and Skilled

Educators

Curriculum, Instruction

and Assessmen

t

Environment for

Learning

Family, Community and School Partners

Student as Learner

Systems for

Sustainable Operations

Learning Organizatio

n

School Design

Core Knowledge

ScienceMathematics

Digital TechnologiesEngineering

Engl ish, Reading or Language ArtsSocial Studies (Economics, Geography, History, Government &

Civics) World Language

Fine Arts (Music, Visual)Physical Education, Health

Student Outcomes

National Inventors Hall of Fame School®…Center for Science, Technology, Engineering and

Mathematics Learning

General

OAT Scores

OGT Scores

Attendance Rates

Standardized Test Scores

Graduation Rate

Average SAT Scores

AP Part ic ipation & Achievement

Cost per learner

Serious Incident Reports

Educator turnover/attendance

Diff erentiators

Achievement of 21st Century knowledge, ski l ls and l i teracy

Educators satisfaction survey

Customer satisfaction survey

Community/parent Part ic ipation

% Applying to col lege

% Accepted to 1st or 2nd choice inst itut ions

Formal research experience

Electronic Portfol ios

Performance Assessments

National Inventors Hall of Fame School®…Center for Science, Technology, Engineering and

Mathematics Learning

Nationally recognized leader in teaching creativity

• Featured in Newsweek - Summer 2010

• Featured on AC 360/Perry’s Principles - Fall 2010

• Presentations given at national and local education and technology conferences

• Featured in a 5-day front page series inthe Akron Beacon Journal

National Inventors Hall of Fame School®…Center for Science, Technology, Engineering and

Mathematics Learning

Questions or

Comments?