Atlanta Middle School opens STEM lab
Atlanta ISD is eager to introduce the new STEM lab to the students of Atlanta Middle School. STEM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. STEM careers are growing at a faster rate than non-STEM careers.
Additionally, graduates with STEM degrees are earning more money than those with non-STEM degrees, even if they are not working in a STEM field.
If that were not enough reason to offer STEM education to our students, research also shows that STEM activities are more engaging and foster problem-solving skills as well as 21st-century skills like critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity.
Amanda Wood is the new STEM teacher at AMS and she started teaching STEM-related classes 10 years ago.
During these past 10 years, she has developed a passion for STEM education and could not teach any other way. She has been surprised daily at the creativity, passion, and powerful ideas her students have demonstrated in class.
Amanda says, “I’ve watched shy students grow to speak in front of an auditorium full of people. I have seen students who sleep or act up in other classes get excited about learning. As much as I would like to take all credit for the many successes I have witnessed in my classes throughout the years, I have to admit it all goes to the experimentation, project-based learning, and tice the future-ready skills they will need no matter their path after school – all while integrating STEM disciplines in real-life, practical scenarios. Our full-scale programs are developed with a single goal in mind: to ensure students are building the resilience and adaptability required to solve the challenges of the future.”
The STEM lab was funded with a combination of Local & Federal funds and a generous grant from the Atlanta Education Foundation.
authentic lessons found in STEM education.”
“I’m extremely excited about the fantastic things happening in the new STEM class and STEM lab at Atlanta Middle School this year.”
Colby Boyce, AMS Principal says, “STEM education is very important in the development of our students at AMS.
Research suggests that 80% of jobs in the next decade will require technology skills and over 50% of the fastest growing jobs in the U.S. are math, science and technology related.
That is what we want for our kids here in AISD-we want every student prepared to be a part of an ever changing global society.”
Curriculum purchased for the STEM lab comes from the PITSCO Education Company. According to PITSCO “The rate of change in our global society is unprecedented, and students and teachers require the mind-set, skill set, and tool set to thrive in it. Our scalable resources enable students to prac-