What is a STEM focus and what will it do for my student?STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.  There are many reasons that we chose STEM as a focus for our school.  The world is changing faster than it ever has due to discovery of new science technology and its applications.  We are preparing students for a future where innovation, communication, collaboration, global competency, critical thinking, and problem solving will be essential.  Because technology and science change so fast we are actually preparing students for jobs that don’t exist yet, to solve problems we don’t know about.  To be globally competitive we need the next generation prepared to step into STEM careers.  STEM will expose students to engineering thinking and problem solving while using the most current technology available with the outcome of shaping students to be innovative problem solvers who can analyze and design.  A STEM focus will allow students to:

• Use the most current technology to learn, design, and present
• Interact with professional scientists and engineering graduate students from CU
• Learn the engineering process of design, prototyping, analyzing, creative thinking, and presenting
• Sharpen their academic skills
• Engagement in the possibilities of college and a STEM career
• Visit science research facilities and tech design facilities
• Prepare students to be successful in the STEM program at Skyline High School or other high school programs in the district that offer advanced classes.

For more information about the development of our STEM program, click here.

Equations Training: Thursday, October 6 at Trail Ridge MS from 3-4:30.

The district Gifted/Talented Coordinator, Michelle Faye, will lead an Equations practice session for teachers and students wishing to learn variations for Equations. Teacher and students interested practicing are also welcome. If you are interested in being part of an Equations with Variations club at Trail Ridge Middle School, please contact Axel Reitzig.

There will be a district-wide competition for Equations with Variations in early 2012. It will be open to students in grades 5-12. Please help pass along the information to those who might be interested. For more information contact Michelle Faye.