I
Why STEM at Will Rogers
Historically, Will Rogers has been known for its innovative approach to teaching and learning, and once again is leading the way as the first elementary S.T.E.M.-focus school in the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District.
While the S.T.E.M. movement is more commonly found at the secondary and university levels, we know elementary age students are ripe for this approach to learning as growing research shows it is important for students to learn science in an experiential way using hands-on, inquiry-based learning.
The use of experimentation, observation, problem solving and journal keeping can have a powerful and positive effect on students’ achievement in other subjects particularly mathematics, reading and language arts.
Our belief is that a good S.T.E.M. curriculum benefits all students regardless of their future educational and career path.
Our Mission:
As a S.T.E.M.-focus school we provide an interdisciplinary approach to learning that:
-
fully engages students and develops literacy by integrating the sciences, technology, engineering, mathematics (S.T.E.M.)
-
fully integrates the arts across the curriculum.
By using this approach to teaching and learning, we strive to increase the academic achievement of all students while simultaneously closing the achievement gap.
​
I
What STEM Looks Like at Will Rogers:
Will Rogers is uniquely poised for success in implementing a S.T.E.M.-based program. Will Rogers staff is deeply committed to the achievement of all students.
We have an in-house S.T.E.M. Coach who meets regularly with each grade’s team of teachers to co-construct and model standards-based lessons that integrate S.T.E.M. into other curriculum areas.
The lessons keep students engaged in learning through the use of a hands-on and inquiry-based approach. Students ask questions and and are given problems to solve that require them to construct understanding by building upon their prior knowledge and problem solving skills.
Will Rogers provides school-wide access to cutting-edge technologies making learning more interactive, engaging and collaborative for both teachers and students.
Multimedia resources such as interactive whiteboards and digital document cameras in every classroom, laptop computers, desktop computers, ipads, and video streaming provide the necessary resources to support the effort.
Model technology classrooms, a comprehensive computer lab, two ipad labs, and a dedicated S.T.E.M. lab extend the teachers’ and students’ repertoire of traditional tools to make learning more meaningful by allowing a variety of hands-on learning experiences and linking our campus to the outside world.