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.

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