1. STEM at Grace Lower School
AdvancED STEM Certification Principal’s Overview 2016

2. History of Grace School
Founded in 1975
Celebrating 40 years this school year
13 acre campus in West Houston
483 Students (20 months – 8th grade) 84 Full time faculty and staff
Average class size: less than 20
Graduates accumulate more than 2,356 service hours

3. Grace School Mission and Vision
Our mission is to provide a rigorous educational program that embraces the teachings of Jesus Christ in a safe and inclusive environment. Our vision is to inspire compassionate, thoughtful students eager to engage in the world around them.

4. We Believe
We Believe….teaching and learning should be relevant, current, and rigorous.
We Believe….teachers should have a deep understanding of the developmental level of their students.
We Believe….effective educators are committed, self-motivated, courageous, and intentional.
We Believe….it is paramount to foster the growth of the mind, body, and spirit.
We Believe….leadership is shared by all and collaboration is used to advocate, nurture, and sustain an effective instructional program.
We Believe….in school-initiated family and community relationships.
We Believe….in developing the God-given gifts, talents, and uniqueness of each individual.

5. History of STEM at Grace School
In 2014, the Grace School fundraising dollars were allocated to the promotion and creation of STEM.
A 1 hour STEM class was created for all Lower School students.
Five Engineering is Elementary units of study were purchased.
All Lower School faculty and staff were trained in the Engineering Design Process and EIE curriculum by the T-STEM Center of Texas Tech University.

6. Lower School STEM Program Goals
To provide elementary students with a solid foundation in the STEM disciplines.
To increase student awareness of STEM based career paths.
To cultivate 21st century skills such as critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and scientific inquiry.
To encourage students to engage with real world problems in an interdisciplinary manner.

7. Daily STEM Life STEM Lab I STEM Lab II
Engineering is Elementary curriculum
Early and repeated exposure to STEM subjects
Use of technology-supported learning tools
Interdisciplinary, cross grade level projects
Opportunities to apply the engineering design process to solve real world problems with multiple solutions.

8. Out of Class Opportunities
Afterschool Enrichment Classes
STEMGems
DeSTEMber
Makers’ Fair
STEAM Challenge Days
DECATS, PSIA, and other competitions related to the STEM disciplines

9. Community Connections
Strong financial support from Lower School families
Partnerships built with local businesses
Cultivation of mentoring relationships for teachers and students with local industry partners
Grant and awards received

10. Notable Achievements
Large scale technology infrastructure upgrade completed in 2015
$200,000 remodel of STEM/Media Center
Implementation of digital library with over 3000 titles
Attraction and retention of degreed, highly qualified teaching staff
Opportunities for continued professional growth
Substantial donor base; raising over $400,000 annual via the auction and annual fund for STEM related initiatives throughout the last two years

11. Challenges
Although there has been a dramatic increase in STEM-focused schools, only a small percentage serve students in grades 1 – 5.
Continued education for parents and the community of the depth of the Lower School STEM program.

12. Next Steps
Both the Head of Lower School and the STEM Lab teacher are currently undergoing STEM Educator certification
Implementation of Future Problem Solvers of America into fourth grade curriculum
Investigating STEM Scopes as a curriculum to use in conjunction with EIE for students