STEM / STE(A)M Initiatives Program

Purpose and Objectives

STEM kidsCFF champions initiatives that expand the classroom instruction of STEM / STE(A)M content, focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math with the possibility of including arts content. We will be successful when classroom teachers routinely use STEM projects in student-centered learning environments that achieve proficiency with academic content standards in these subject areas, including English Language Arts.

Lemon Grove STEM Proposal

CFF supports the proposal by the Lemon Grove School District to create a STEM school within-a-school at Vista La Mesa Elementary School and ultimately transform Lemon Grove Middle School into a STEM magnet school. We will be successful when Lemon Grove has the resources to design and implement the STEM magnet school concept, including the use of STEM project-based learning, provisions for a Teacher on Special Assignment, participation by STEM industry partnerships and academic achievement by students in Lemon Grove.

Cajon Valley EmSTEM Magnet at Emerald

CFF facilitated a partnership between Emerald’s EmSTEM program and Qualcomm that led to a field-trip to Qualcomm’s IT network operations center. Students and teachers toured the high tech facility and had the opportunity to interact with software engineers, IT technicians and programmers in-depth to better understand career paths and the skill sets needed for these careers.

STEM Collaboratory

CFF supports the concept of a STEM Collaboratory for San Diego County schools that combines increasing teacher capacity for STEM instruction, adding resources for STEM project-based learning, and involving STEM professionals from local businesses and industries into the classrooms. We will be successful when schools in selected districts have participated in teacher professional development on project-based learning, have increased technology utilization for student projects, and have a steady flow of STEM professionals available to work with teachers and students in the classroom.

Background

CFF participated in seminal work with Santee School District beginning in 2004 when they qualified for a bond program, QZAB, that exposed teachers from two low performing schools to the UCLA SEEDS program. That program evolved into a focus on project-based learning environments at Pepper Drive and Prospect Avenue schools with funding from SDG&E.

A broader approach sprang from a three-district collaboration among Santee, Lemon Grove and Cajon Valley that combined CFF work on one-to-one technology with our support of project-based learning. Subsequently, each school district created a STEM-focused initiative:

  • Santee Project Based Learning (PBL) at the PRIDE Academy
  • Lemon Grove STEM School Initiative at Vista La Mesa and Lemon Grove Middle School
  • Cajon Valley STEM School Initiative at Emerald Middle School

Coincidentally, CFF supported the STEM Collaboratory, a 14-district grant application for the Investing in Innovation in Education (i3) program by SDCOE. This application combined broad community support for STEM education through intensive professional development to increase teacher capacity for STEM instruction and participation of industry professionals in the classrooms.

Lemon Grove STEM Proposal

CFF has supported the Lemon Grove School District since 2001 with grants, letters of support, involving their teachers in the TIME initiative, validating the design of the One-to-One @ School and Home Academy, evaluating the academic outcomes from the One-to-One program, expanding one-to-one computing to other school districts, and supporting their innovative program for school success. Lemon Grove has been recognized by CFF Innovation Awards in 2004 and 2008.

Cajon Valley EmSTEM Magnet at Emerald

CFF supported the expansion of a one-to-one learning environment at Emerald Middle School for the past five years. This involved acquiring technology, contracting with the Lemon Grove School District for LemonLINK services, and training teachers in two cohorts. Several grant applications were supported by CFF and funded these expansions. Two years ago, CFF facilitated a collaboration among Cajon Valley, Lemon Grove and Santee School Districts seeking synergy for project-based learning and expanded technology innovation. Each district remained in the conversation but chose different routes within their schools. The EmSTEM magnet school concept grew out of those discussions and CFF met with the Superintendent, Janice Cook, and the Emerald principal, Kathy Skube, on several occasions to support their planning efforts. Recently, CFF wrote a letter of support for the CFF Program Initiative Status (August 18, 2010 Page 5 of 8 Cox Kids Foundation) for funding the EmSTEM magnet school use of iPod Touch applicances for English language acquisition.

STEM Collaboratory

CFF committed community support from a non-public agency as required for the SDCOE application to the Investing in Innovation in Education (i3) grant program. That funding was declined. However, the wide ranging philanthropic and industry support and the commitment from 13 school districts clearly indicates that the San Diego community has the capacity and desire to implement various aspects of the planned STEM Collaboratory. CFF has on-going collaboration with the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation (EDC), the San Diego Foundation, the San Diego Science Alliance, as well as support from several member companies to continue to bring the STEM Collaboratory to life.

Implementation Plan

Each program initiative will be described separately below.

Lemon Grove STEM Proposal

Lemon Grove plans to renovate Lemon Grove Middle School to become a STEM magnet school when it reopens in 2012. In the interim, students will be relocated to several schools, including Vista La Mesa Elementary School that will become a STEM magnet for grades 6 through 8. Key elements of the plan for 2010 school year include the following:

  • Training teachers on inquiry or project-based learning.
  • Establishing STEM industry partnerships, including the USS Midway.
  • Assessing 21st Century Skills.
  • Expanding and updating technology infrastructure.
  • Adapting STEM high-school and career pathways.
  • Engaging after school programs, such as Botball, LegoLeague and other credit retention programs.

Cajon Valley EmSTEM Magnet at Emerald

Cajon Valley intends to use Project Lead the Way curriculum in their EmSTEM magnet school beginning with the 2010-2011 school year. The request for funding from Cox Kids Foundation will help acquire the iPod Touch appliances and training for the teachers to implement the curriculum from Escondido.

Financial Resources / Budget

Lemon Grove STEM Proposal

Purpose and Objectives
CFF supports the Lemon Grove School District’s to transform Lemon Grove Middle School into a STEM magnet school. CFF partnered with Lemon Grove to identify the resources to design and implement the STEM magnet school concept, including the use of STEM project-based learning, provisions for a Teacher on Special Assignment, participation by STEM industry partnerships and academic achievement by students in Lemon Grove.

STEM Collaboratory

CFF supports the STEM Collaboratory for San Diego County schools that combines increasing teacher capacity for STEM instruction, adding resources for STEM project-based learning, and involving STEM professionals from local businesses and industries into the classrooms. Schools in selected districts have participated in teacher professional development on project-based learning, have increased technology utilization for student projects, and have a steady flow of STEM professionals available to work with teachers and students in the classroom.

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