Middle School Students Taking Part in STEM Learning

A new three-day schedule at the middle schools in North Syracuse Central School District is giving students regular opportunities to explore STEM activities in class. The district utilizes Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Launch modules in grades 5 and 6 to engage students in challenging, hands-on problem-solving activities aligned with Next Generation Science Standards and Common Core State Standards for Math and English Language Arts.

Students at Gillette Road Middle School and Roxboro Road Middle School are given real-life problems that involve design and construction elements as part of an overriding solution.

Course modules include aeronautics, Newton’s Laws of Motion, simple machines, robotics, automation, mechanical design, computer programming and more. Students work in groups to solve challenges and learn in a hands-on way.

With countless statistics projecting tremendous growth in STEM occupations, these students are sure to have a head start as they continue their education and begin careers.