STEM Certification

Executive Summary

Hawthorne Elementary
1. Provide a general description of the learning experiences in which the STEM
students were most successful. Additionally, generally describe the learning
experiences that need improvement for greater success.

Our Background

How are we different?

Hawthorne Elementary School is a unique learning environment located in Atlanta,
Georgia. Hawthorne is the model inclusion school for DeKalb county which allows for every
student to receive the services he or she needs in the least restrictive, loving, and supportive
environment. Specifically, each grade level, from K-5, has special education students as well
as typically developing students in at least one classroom. In our school, both special education
and general education students receive the support they need to develop academically, socially,
and emotionally.

Hawthorne has been an integral part of the community since 1961. Several of our
teachers have also been students at Hawthorne. Our teachers are not only invested in this
community, but they work exceptionally hard in meeting the needs of our diverse student
population.Our school currently provides education to 464 diverse students. We serve students
from grades Pre-K through 5th. In addition to the 4 major subjects, all students are offered
French, Art, Music, STEM, and Physical Education. Our diverse population requires a variety of
services. Therefore, our school offers a Special Education Resource program, Early Intervention
Program (EIP), Discovery (gifted) classes, English to Speakers of Other Languages program
(ESOL), Speech therapy, Occupational therapy, and a variety of other supportive services.
Demographics
Hawthorne serves a diverse population including:
Ethnically diverse
English Language Learners
Students with Disabilities
Economically Disadvantaged
Female
Specific Demographics

English Language Learners 73

Students with Disabilities 75

Students who receive free and reduced 289

lunch

An Ethnically Diverse Student Population

(as identified by parents on survey)

Asian 40

Black/African American 297

Pacific 6
Islander

White/Caucasian 382

Multi-racial 34

Assessment Data
Our students have taken all nationally and state-wide required assessments, including
the Milestones Assessments (grades 3-5). The following scores are evidence that we, as
teachers, have more room for growth. Overall, for 2016 Milestones Assessments, in ELA 31% of
our students achieved scores in the beginning category, 32% were in the Developing category,
29% were Proficient, and 8% were Distinguished. In Math, 31% of students received scores in
the Beginning category, 39% in Developing, 24% in Proficient, and 6% in Distinguished. In
Science, 37% of students were in the Beginning category, 34% were Developing, 20% were
Proficient, and 9% were Distinguished. Lastly, the students took the Social Studies portion of
the Milestones Assessment. Thirty-five percent of the students achieved scores in the
Beginning category, 42% in the Developing category, 17% in Proficient, and 6% in
Distinguished.
Support System
Hawthorne Elementary has made great gains according to the College and Career
Readiness Performance Index. We have attained 45.8 achievement points and 15.1 progress
points. Our school is diligent in making significant steps toward improvement. We have a school
improvement team which is dedicated to this endeavor. In addition to teacher led support, our
school is very fortunate in that we have strong collaborative partnership between teacher and
home. We currently have a 3-fold support system, which provides the foundation of our strong
educational program: the Foundation, School Council, and the Parent-Teacher Association
(PTA). The foundation provides funding for teachers to participate in professional learning
opportunities. This organization has also supported teachers in developing, maintaining, and
organizing the stem lab. The School Council provides an environment of open dialogue between
teachers, parents, and administration. All members are encouraged to share ideas on school
improvement, including our STEM initiative. Lastly, our PTA assists the school in various STEM
activities.

Our Rationale
As we continue to move towards a more advanced society through technology, we
continue to face situations that only can be solved through complex and sophisticated
problem-solving strategies. Globilization will force our workers to be able to communicate with
many individuals from different cultures and communities. Our Assistant Principal, Stephanie
Brown-Bryant (2016), has conducted extensive research on the importance of a strong STEM
education program. The following is an excerpt from
her research.

Over the past decades, STEM has become a major

conversation in educational reform (Beatty, 2011).
Many believe that our nations economic success
originates in the K-12 classroom, not solely in
high-level colleges (National Research Council of the
National Academies, 2011). However, the United
States has lost competitiveness in the areas of
science, technology, engineering and mathematics
fields. U. S. students are simply not able to compete
with students in other countries (Committee on
Science, Engineering and Public Policy, 2007). STEM
programs seem to offer a solution (at least partially).
This is borne out from several perspectives. STEM graduates tend to be more successful
academically in fields important to the economy. Beatty (2011) finds that STEM graduates
pursue STEM fields in college at a rate nearly 50% higher than other students (Beatty, 2011). In
professional fields, the need for STEM graduates is also clear. Nine of the ten occupations most
in demand will require a bachelors degree in a STEM field by 2018 (Lacey & Wright, 2009;
Wang, 2013). More than 120 CEOs of major companies described the implications of the
absence of skills in science, technology, engineering and math (Business Roundtable, 2014).
This shows that as our nation increases efforts to address the needs of our global economy, it is
important to examine how educators collaborate and prepare to deliver STEM instruction.

Approximately 98% of CEOs say that the skills gap is a problem for their companies;

Nearly 60% of job openings require basic STEM literacy and 42% require advanced

STEM knowledge. Nearly two-thirds of job openings that require STEM skills are in

manufacturing and other services;

Sixty-two percent of CEOs report problems finding qualified applicants for jobs requiring

advanced computer/IT knowledge, and 41% report problems with jobs requiring

advanced quantitative knowledge;

Thirty-eight percent of CEOs say that at least half of their entry-level applicants lack

basic STEM literacy and 28% say that at least half of their new entry-level hires lack

basic STEM literacy.

2. Provide examples of how the STEM educators and facilitators implement and
sustain the core tenets of an effective and age-appropriate STEM curriculum.

Our STEM Program

Why now?
Since 2013, the teachers and administration of Hawthorne have realized the importance
of bringing STEM to our students. Technology integration has been a priority at Hawthorne for
several years.The Hawthorne Foundation funded a Mac Lab and we have been constantly
upgrading technology with iPads, laptops, InterActive Boards, and other technology resources
for our teachers and students to use. We have partnered with HATponics, Captain Planet, the
Flying Classroom, and Georgia Tech to both train and supply materials for our teachers. Various
seed companies, such as Johnnys Selected Seeds and Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company,
have donated seeds to our garden so we could focus on agricultural engineering and the
HATponics focus to feed 20 million people by 2020.
 Hawthorne is committed to building a sustainable
STEM program with the durability to last. We have
a committed staff- from administration to teachers,
and the community at large. In order to be a
sustainable program, we will continue to monitor
and support Hawthornes STEM community to
ensure implementation throughout the school.

Teachers at Hawthorne have participated in numerous trainings and continue to receive

support in new and innovative ways to implement STEM.
Hawthorne has multiple opportunities for students to become involved with STEM both
before and after school. Our STEM ambassadors promote mentor-based learning for the
students throughout the school as well as keeping our aquaponic systems running
smoothly. We also have LEGO programs from K-5 (Early Structures, First Lego Jr., and
First Lego). Our Garden Club supports classroom efforts to keep our crops at their best.
Hawthorne Elementary ensures that our school is equipped with tools and resources we
need to make our program successful. Through our community partnerships and
parental involvement, our program is successful.
We have partnered with Industry Partners such as Captain Planet, the Flying Classroom,
HATponics, Georgia Tech and Baker Heirloom Seed Company. In addition, our teachers
frequently are funded with technology through Donors Choose.

Vision
Our vision for the STEM program has several goals. We strive to provide a
challenging learning STEM focused environment, which maximizes student potential
and ensures that students are well-equipped to meet the challenges in the world around
them. This involves developing students capabilities for critical thinking and
independent problem solving skills. Additionally, we seek to inspire the next generation
of STEM leaders, by developing a passion for STEM focused content at an early age.
Lastly, we endeavor to enhance the educational experiences of students, teachers, and
parents by increasing community involvement.

STEM Learner Profile

At Hawthorne Elementary we are consistently working toward developing and
encouraging STEM students who:
Ask detailed questions
Use mathematics and computational thinking
Collaborate and communicate their ideas with others
Research answers to student-driven questions
Take ownership of their learning
 Build 21st century skills
Formulate arguments and support them with evidence
Reason abstractly and quantitatively
Apply knowledge across curricular areas
Persevere in solving problems

STEM leaders

We have a core team of STEM leaders. These dynamic teachers represent each grade
level and serve in multiple roles to aid in the development of our schools STEM program. They
attend professional development opportunities, present at Science conferences, serve as model
STEM teachers, conduct professional learning sessions, and assist in developing a school-wide
STEM curriculum.

Professional Learning
All teachers are provided the opportunity to participate in STEM Professional Learning
Units (PLUs). Our wonderful teachers have attended the following PLUs (these are not
including general school-wide training sessions):
School Master Gardener Course Jun. 3-13, 2014
Region 2 STEM Conference Sept. 23, 2015
HATponics STEM Educator training Sept. 25-27, 2015
Georgia STEM Forum October 2015
GAETC Oct. 24-25, 2016
GETEA Oct. 1-2, 2015
Atlanta Maker Faire Oct. 3, 2015
Donors Choose training Oct. 5, 2015
Captain Planet Training Nov. 1-2, 2015
Flying Classroom Training Nov. 18, 2015
STEM to STEAM at the High Jan. 28, 2016
SeaPerch/NOAA training Mar. 16-17, 2016
STEM Ready Schools @ Ga. Tech Mar. 22, 2016
NSTA STEM Forum July 27-29, 2016
STEM in action

Science
Garden- Students are provided multiple opportunities to plan, care for, and plant in our
school garden. In addition to the students, we have also received support from Trees
Atlanta, and other local community organizations.
HATponics Aquaponics System- Student STEM ambassadors were trained by Ryan Cox
(founder), who then delivered the information to fellow students. They also maintain and
interact with the system.
Flying Classroom- This program allows children to be engaged in real-world problem
solving activities.

Technology
Microsoft teacher training- Teachers were trained on the different uses of our Surface 2
tablets.
Little Bits- Students are able to experiment with and explore simple circuits.
3-D printer- Students are given the opportunity to plan and create designs.
Girls Coding Collective- Girls in grades 4-5 work through Googles CS first program, in
which they learn how to program in Scratch. They are also provided with field trip
opportunities.

Engineering
First Lego League- Students in the 4th and 5th grade work with Legos and coding
programs to solve a real world problem. They are also able to compete .
First Lego League Jr.- Students in the 3rd grade are encouraged to solve real world
problems with Legos.
Robotics: Beebots, Dot, Dash, Sphero- Students have the opportunity to interact with a
variety of robots in progressing levels of difficulty.
Maker Space- All classes are provided the opportunity to work in the Maker Space
approximately once a month.

Math
Spruiell- Professional development for computational fluency
School wide mathematical process
Answer all parts of the problem
Calculate
Explain your answer
Double check your work
Polyas Problem Solving Model
 Sagamore Math Tournament- Students are given the chance to compete in a district
wide competition.

Summary
In summary, we at Hawthorne Elementary are proud of our multifaceted STEM program.
We have worked incredibly hard at building and maintaining our STEM program. We believe
that all stakeholders- students, teachers, parents, and STEM partners- play an integral role in
the success of our program. We look forward to continuing to develop a stronger and more
dynamic STEM program, so that our children are empowered to face the challenge of a rapidly
changing world.