SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, ARTS & MATHEMATICS
Purpose:
Cooper’s STEAM program sets goals to encourage our students to experience/develop STEAM skills, pursue STEAM-related classes in high school, and consider STEAM-related careers as adults. Our program integrates the study of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics using the engineering design process and the scientific method as unifying themes.
STEAM Classes
All students enrolled at Cooper Middle School will have the opportunity to experience and investigate STEAM curriculum through the STEAM classes. Almost all sixth graders will automatically be enrolled in a one-quarter class designed to introduce the engineering design process and simple computer programming. Seventh grade and eighth grade students may request a place in one of the STEAM classes for their grade level by completing a one-page application. The 7th and 8th grade STEAM curriculum includes engineering projects that are correlated to the science content of the specific grade level and robotics curriculum.
The STEAM Academy
Student Identification Requirements: Rising 6th grade students who are interested in the STEAM Academy Program must be enrolled in Math 6/7 and Advanced Content Earth Science. Students who remain in the program during their 7th and 8th grade years must be enrolled in Math 7/8 and Advanced Content Life Science, and Coordinate Algebra and Accelerated Physical Science, respectively.
Program of Study:
The Academy offers a multidisciplinary collaborative teaching model that includes two highly-qualified gifted-certified, math and science teachers per grade level. The classes are blocked to allow both teachers to integrate math, science, and engineering. All classes offer hands-on, project-based, technology-infused learning. Students in the program will have access to an iPad to be used during the school day to create, develop, and implement the activities and projects.
STEAM Pathway:
For students in the STEAM Academy
Year
Subject
Course
6th grade
Math
Math 6/7
Science
Advanced Earth Science
7th grade
Math
Math 7/8
Science
Advanced Life Science
8th grade
Math
Coordinate Algebra*
Science
Accelerated Physical Science*
* for high school credit
