All LASD students in Transitional Kindergarten through 8th grade are learning STEM in a variety of ways. Every student is encouraged to build, explore, and connect to the world around them.

• Each trimester, elementary students create a STEM project that is integrated into a subject area such as science, math, English language arts (ELA), and/or social studies. 
• Junior high students learn STEM skills in their science and math classes and in STEM-focused electives. 
• All students can participate in building experiences where they create, problem-solve, and iterate through district-wide STEM Challenges. 
• Each elementary school has a STEM lab where students learn with their class or create on their own during lunch time.
• LASD STEM includes a robust computer science program for all students.

STEM Highlights

Kindergarten: 3-D Name 
Students built a 3-D model of their name using a variety of materials.

1st Grade: The Pigeon HAS to go to School!
What if there’s a different way to help Pigeon get to school? Students brainstormed different ways, then they prototyped one design for Pigeon to go to school.

2nd Grade: The Germinator

Students enjoyed the magic as the seeds they planted transformed into growing plants in a CD jewel case!

3rd Grade: Maglev System

Students explored the connections between the properties of magnets, the technological innovation of the maglev train, and the field of transportation engineering.

4th Grade: - Dissection

Students dissected a sheep or cow's eye. They observed the intricate structures that help form images and learned how the eye sends those images to our brains to create vision.

“The first time I saw the cow eye, I was horrified. But, as we started exploring the eye, it was really fun! One of my favorite parts was when we took out the lens from the vitreous humor. I was surprised that the lens felt like a marble! Another one of my favorite parts was when we poked the scalpel through the blind spot and it came out at the optic nerve. It was really cool!” — 4th grade student from Ms. Hultberg’s class

5th Grade: Chinampa 

Aztecs used their natural resources to address problems they encountered. Students designed and built floating Aztec gardens, also known as chinampas.

6th Grade: Popsicle Challenge

Applying their knowledge of thermal energy transfer, students designed a container to hold a popsicle and keep it cool for a designated number of minutes determined by their teachers.

LAEF funding helps make STEM a reality in our schools. 
Thank you to all who have donated to LAEF this school year. You are giving every student in our district access to an excellent STEM education.

Example: District-Wide STEM Challenge: "Architecture Around the World"
Students in TK-8th grade researched different architectural designs around the world and recreated them using materials around the house.  

Other STEM Events

STEM Career Events at Egan in February 
STEM Trimester 2 District-Wide STEM Challenge, TK - 8th
STEM Expo, TK - 6th, in early spring.
Many more classroom STEM Projects!

Launched 11 years ago with funding from LAEF, the LASD STEM program continues to provide interesting, hands-on STEM experiences to every student. Learn more about the importance of early STEM education. 

Find out what's happening in other LAEF funded programs this school year.