The STEM initiative began at Acworth Elementary during the 2016 - 2017 school year.  However, our staff implemented project based learning strategies in the classroom beginning in 2014.  Moving forward, the teachers and administrators realized that it was necessary to find an innovative program to provide the students with rigorous and exciting learning opportunities. Through the use of STEM, students are provided real world experiences. In 2019, Acworth Elementary gained their Cobb STEM certification. 

Acworth Elementary teachers utilize the Engineering Design Process as they format their STEM lesson plans and activities.  The design process is visible in classrooms and school wide clubs throughout the academic planning and implementation process. The Acworth Elementary student’s thinking process involves these designs and is evident in each grade level.  Collaboration and communication is a key component throughout our school academics. 

Why Have STEM? 

At Acworth Elementary over 65% of the students are on free and reduced lunch. These students have minimal exposure to the fields of science and mathematics. With a  majority of  career paths being STEM related, it is critical that our students receive a solid foundation in this field. Exposing students to a STEM rich curriculum provides them with the skill sets that they will need to be college and career ready by the time they graduate.  As a result, our children can become globally competitive leaders. Even if they are not pursuing a degree in  a STEM profession, they will still need to be versed in the latest technologies to be successful.   

Our journey began with a focus on Project Based Learning, and then a STEM committee was formed during the 2017-2018 school year which researched ways to implement STEM into the curriculum. The committee was comprised of  representatives from various grade levels and special areas, and research was begun on how to engage our students using the STEM philosophy.  Our STEM initiative provides the students of Acworth Elementary with rigorous and relevant learning opportunities which give them chances to problem solve, discover, and collaborate through interactive activities where areas of the curriculum are integrated.

Outdoor Learning Lab

Outdoor learning space used for multidisciplinary lessons. Outdoor spaces include 5 raised garden beds, a waterfall, a compost bin, a rain barrel,  two classroom seating areas with dry-erase easel and one with a covered pavilion, a rock garden, a root viewer, weather instruments, and a sand area for erosion activities.