Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)

S.T.E.M. refers to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics as a collective subject that intertwines each component to reflect how these areas manifest together in the real world. As the program grows we are dedicated to delivering quality instruction that is aligned to the NGSS and incorporates each of the STEM components.

 

 

“The Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) represent a vision for education where students, over multiple years of school, deepen their understanding of core ideas in science and engineering through active engagement with science and engineering practices and application of crosscutting concepts (NRC Framework, 2012). Achieving this vision will require major shifts in the way that science is taught and valued in the K-12 classroom.”
-- John Spiegel (Science Coordinator for San Diego COE)

 

Simply put, the NGSS is a reworking of the California State Science Standards (1998) that engages students in learning through activity.  Where in the previous set of standards, students were required to “know” certain information as a collection of facts, students must now investigate phenomena through acquired skills in order to make sense of that phenomena.  It is a transition that turns the student from a passive listener, into an active learner through exploration, examination, and the application of scientific and engineering ideas.

However, transitioning from the old standards to the new will be long and difficult.  It will take time to change and refine our teaching practices, gather appropriate resources, plan engaging lessons, and design coherent units.  We are currently making strides towards these goals through comprehensive teacher training, curriculum exploration, creating a network of science specialists, and ongoing information gathering.

As we transition into fully implementing the NGSS, we are continually striving to improve our program through refining teaching practices, gathering enriching resources, planning engaging and exciting lessons, and designing coherent units that illustrate the intertwined nature of the distinct science disciplines. 

By participating in our program, students engage in Performance Expectations that allow them the opportunity to explore, examine, and explain various phenomena through hands-on activities.  Children are naturally inquisitive and make excellent scientists (and engineers) when provided the opportunity.  Our goal is to provide every student with the opportunity to become scientists and explore the phenomena of the world around us.  Please support us by encouraging your child to ask questions, experiment with solutions, seek-out information, and be an active participant in his or her education.

Value Schools’ Science Fair

Information coming soon!

Science/Engineering Opportunities in the Community

1. Free public star parties are held monthly at Griffith Observatory from 2:00 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. They are a chance for the whole family to look at the Sun, Moon, visible planets and other objects, to try out a variety of telescopes, and to talk to knowledgeable amateur astronomers about the sky and their equipment.
2. Eaton Canyon Nature Area provides several different nature walks for families at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains in Pasadena.
3. La Brea Tar Pits Museum (formerly called Page Museum) - Admission is free on the first Tuesday of each month. Pay only for parking. On other days, the regular admission cost is fairly low. Also, outside of the museum there are exhibits that you can view for free.
4. California Science Center Science Exhibits are free, pay only for parking. The adjacent Air and Space Gallery is also free. The museum has other activities that are available for a fee. In Exposition Park. Near the Coliseum, Natural History Museum and California African American Museum.