STEM
Science • Technology • Engineering • Math
That you are probably reading this on a computer screen means that a group of people have used their STEM knowledge to envision, create, test and manufacture components that will enable you to do so. STEM in an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. The term is somewhat new, but the foundation of knowledge in the area is older.
The STEM curriculum encompasses the desired learning that students will need to prepare them for their lives in a future that perhaps they don’t quite understand themselves. In this district, that we are moving to combining these areas into one realm does not mean that the instruction will immediately change. The Anchorage School District has been doing very well at educating students and there is no reason to change that. We can improve, however, and we are making steps to prepare the students a bit better for the rapidly changing technological world they enter.
A primary objective of the STEM curriculum is to integrate the teaching of the four composite areas so that the students better understand the connections among the areas. Most students already understand this concept, but all students must understand it.
award-winning teachers
Scott McKim, a teacher at Begich Middle School, received the California Casualty Award for Teaching Excellence, one of the nation's most pretigious honors for public school educators.
Begich Middle School Science Teacher Scott Kluever was selected for the Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellowship Program in March 2012. One of the first ASD employees to be selected for this program, Kluever will work in Washington D.C. for one year with prestigious scientists from across the country.
Mark Elfstrom
Mark Elfstrom, a Romig Middle School math and science teacher, was awarded the national Milken Educator Award in October 2011.
Dorothea Culbert, Alpenglow Elementary, and Mary Janis, Orion Elementary, received the 2011 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Recipients are recognized for their outstanding contributions in the classroom and to their profession.
Anchorage School District programs
Robotics competitions
Since 1999, the Anchorage School District has been involved in robotics competitions to involve students in STEM activities. The number of schools involved in this exciting team sport has increased dramatically. We hope that more schools will try some level of the competitions, and that more students participate. The FIRST competitions, in particular, are friendly while also being competitive. The goal is not to trash another team’s robot, but instead to work with it to achieve a goal. Bartlett High School's robotics team competed in the World Robotics Festival in April 2011.
A student in the Dimond High School Engineering Academy
Dimond High School Engineering Academy
The DHS Engineering Academy is designed to prepare students for a two-year or a four-year engineering degree program. Five engineering courses follow the Project Lead the Way (PLTW) curriculum that may qualify for articulated agreements with universities in Alaska and across the U.S. Engineering Academy courses are project-based. Students are connected with engineering professors at UAA and with engineers in businesses that serve on the Engineering Academy Advisory Council.
Students may enter the Engineering Academy as freshmen and continue the four-year sequence or they may take individual courses when space is available.
Service High, Biomedical Career Academy (BCA)
The Biomedical Career Academy at Service aims to prepare students for a successful career in the health care industry. Classes within the BCA focus heavily on rigorous academics within a traditional curriculum, integrating health care and medically based activities within the classroom and community. Students have the option of preparing themselves for a position directly after high school within a health care setting and/or to focus on preparation for a traditional college degree.
All students are required to be members of HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America- a nationally recognized student health care organization) and will also be obtaining current first-aid/CPR certification. Seniors, upon the successful completion of prerequisites, will take a capstone class which focuses on individual research and hands-on learning.
The BCA students will be interacting with our business partners in the community thus will be held to high standards of professional conduct and communication.
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 school business partner
The STEM Department is pleased to have the Federal Aviation Administration-Alaskan Region Aviation Education as their first School Business Partner. Learn more about FAA's outreach efforts: AVSED | Girls with Wings
Local activities
Online resources
- Boston Museum of Science
The Engineering is Elementary project
fosters engineering and technological literacy among children
- Change the Equation
Improving STEM education for every child
- CLEAN
Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness Network
- Connect a Million Minds
A program designed to inspire students to pursue learning opportunities and careers in science, technology, engineering and math.
- Khan Academy
A library of videos covering everything from arithmetic to physics, finance and history.
- MathinScience.info
Find STEM connections by grade and subject level
- National Math and Science Initiative
NMSI provides ideas, inspiration, and resources to address the problem of American students falling behind in these essential subjects.
- Project Noah
Document nature with your mobile phone and assist scientists with ongoing research.
- Real World Design Challenge
RWDC is an annual competition that provides high school students, grades 9 – 12, the opportunity to work on real world engineering challenges in a team environment. Students use professional engineering software to develop their solutions and generate presentations that convincingly demonstrate the value of their solutions.
- SEED
Lots of STEM topics available in different languages
- SIEMENS STEM Academy
Webinars, resources, blogs
- STEMTUBE
Student photos, and videos for Science, Math, Engineering, Technology
- STEM Career
Resources for students, counselors, educators and parents
- The Futures Channel
STEM Movies and Activities
- Top STEM Careers
- USGS
United States Geological Survey educator resources
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