STEM Academy students participated in the BEST Robotics Competition (Boosting Engineering Science and Technology), including Castle Pines resident, Ryan Bacon, (pictured on the far right in the green shirt.) Darrell Phippen, ULA Aerospace Engineer and STEM School and Academy Board Member, coached the STEM Academy Robotics Team.

By Tracy Dudley

A local group of parents, educators, and high tech professionals have banded together to create STEM School and Academy, a new school opening this fall in Highlands Ranch. According to recent international assessments, the United States lags behind many countries in science and math. STEM is a tuition-free charter school focused on science, technology, engineering, and math (S.T.E.M.) with the goal of narrowing the gap between the United States and other countries.

In August of this year, the school will open with students spanning sixth through ninth grade. In subsequent years, the school plans to add another grade level until it is a full sixth through twelfth grade school. STEM School will offer new and innovative opportunities for students driven by business and industry in order to meet growing workforce demands. Douglas County School District has approved a Core Knowledge curriculum for grades six through eight, as well as a high school curriculum designed by a team of experts.

The school prides itself on a hands-on approach to learning, and has added a unique programming option with STEM Academy, a separate 501(c)3 non-profit led by engineers and scientists who will manage the afterschool Expanded Learning Opportunity (ELO) classes, activities, and research laboratories. ELO classes will include both free and fee-based expanded learning opportunities and are designed to keep students engaged in school.

Many ELO programs take place right after school and include things like robotics, rocketry, world languages, drama, and athletics. STEM Academy has contracted Castle Pines North sports organization South Metro Volleyball to provide a variety of programs. The Academy will hold a golf tournament and family barbecue fundraiser at Arrowhead Golf Course on Friday, August 12 at 1:30 p.m. All proceeds will go toward converting the 20,000 square-foot STEM Academy warehouse into a gym, lab, and all-around asset-building youth organization. Open to students from other schools in the community, the Academy hopes to cultivate teens toward making healthy decisions and avoiding risky behaviors by engaging in high-tech, educational, creative, preventative, or fun activities that expand their horizons.

The unique methodologies for learning make STEM School stand out in a growing marketplace of choices, which has piqued the interest of many families who have been disheartened by traditional public schools. More than 400 students from schools throughout Douglas County School District, Littleton Public Schools, Cherry Creek School District, Denver Public Schools, and Jefferson County School District have already enrolled at STEM School.

“I am extremely excited by the opportunity to work with the STEM School,” said Principal David Floodeen. “The chance to build a program that addresses what is wrong in education today and fix those problems while making a positive impact on the lives of so many students is truly the opportunity of a lifetime.”

Closing in on 90 percent capacity, STEM school is currently finalizing registrations for this fall. For more information about STEM School and Academy, visit www.stemhigh.org or call 720-295-STEM (7836).