Reaching for the Stars: An Integrated STEAM Elementary School Program
Abstract
Reaching for the Stars provides an integrated STEAM K-4 program for Claiborne Pell Elementary School (Pell) in Newport, Rhode Island. This seaside tourist town hosts a U.S. Naval Shipyard plus the U.S. Naval War College and Pell is Newport’s only public elementary school. Pell hosts a diverse population of students that includes military-connected families (13%), English Language Learners (ELL, 20%), and socio-economically disadvantaged families (63%). In 2019, only a quarter of Newport’s students met or exceeded expectations for Rhode Island’s Next Generation Science Assessment and the state’s English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics assessments. The primary goal of Reaching for the Stars is to build strong foundations in STEM literacy by integrating pre-existing programs, including an outdoor classroom, with high quality technology, and authentic student-led projects within a social-emotional learning environment. In 2018, only about a third of Rhode Island students were proficient in science, ELA and mathematics. Across all tests, ELL and economically disadvantaged students consistently scored lower than wealthier groups. In addition, obesity is a problem with poor childhood eating habits significantly impacting teen and adult health. To address these needs, Reaching for the Stars will: 1) Increase the percentage of military-connected elementary school students earning passing scores in science by 5% each year; 2) Improve the healthy eating and school-life balance habits of military-connected elementary school students by 5% each year; and 3) Increase the percentage of military-connected elementary school students participating in STEAM events by 10% each year.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jul 08, 2021
- Source ID
- HE12542010009
Entities
People
- Kimberly Behan
Organizations
- Department of Defense Education Activity
- United States Department of Defense