Spark STEM Academy
At Freeman Elementary, students learn the concepts of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) through a variety of methods. Kindergarten through fifth graders use a curriculum called Engineering in Elementary (EiE). Students explore and innovate using this rigorous system of learning. In addition, LEGO Education curriculum expands the fun and learning for Freeman students. The older Freeman students use a program called WeDo 2.0, which connects to the Chromebooks via Bluetooth and allows students to program their builds to light up, make sound, and move.
Students in grades second through fifth collect projects and examples of their learning in digital portfolios and webpages. The goal is to add onto the site each year so that students, after their time at Freeman, will have a website full of STEM learning.
The Spark STEM Academy also teaches students the soft skills of teamwork, cooperation, listening, and problem-solving. Students spend some time talking about 21st century skills and digital citizenship each year.
Freeman offers after school clubs which also use the also have EiE curriculum. Students have investigated Cane Toads in Australia and New Zealand, Hovercrafts, and plants and sustainability.