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CONTACT: Matt Cardoza, GaDOE Communications Office, (404) 651-7358, mcardoza@gadoe.org
Gilda
Lyon, GaDOE STEM Coordinator, (404) 463-1977, glyon@doe.k12.ga.us
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May 21, 2015 – The Georgia Department of Education has
awarded Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) certification
to Cowan Road Elementary School in the
Griffin-Spalding School System.
Cowan Road is the 9th elementary school in the state to be
awarded the designation and the 17th school
overall. Certification was given at a PTO meeting on
May 18.
“Cowan Road Elementary School provides opportunities
for all students to develop a passion for STEM,” Superintendent Woods said. “Hands-on learning is woven into the regular academic
curriculum so students make connections between them.
As we work to personalize education for all students, Cowan Road is a model for the state.”
To
earn STEM certification, the school had to submit an application showing that
it meets specific criteria, including evidence of teacher collaboration,
business and industry partnerships, high levels of math and science instruction
and an integrated, project-based STEM curriculum. A team from the Georgia
Department of Education visited the school to observe the program.
The 3rd-5th grade program at Cowan Road focuses on place-based
education. Students work with the local parks and recreation department to
solve engineering problems associated with a park that is adjacent to the
school. Teachers at the school work diligently to integrate math, science, and
engineering so students can apply the concepts they learn using project-based
learning. Students produce digital content as a result of their projects and
readily relate the relationship of projects to the science and math they are
learning. In partnership with Georgia Tech, an institution that continues to
push students to think at higher levels, students are engaged in engineering
design.
Learn
more about STEM schools at www.stemgeorgia.org.
