Five Star STEM Partners with CU Science Discovery

Through an exciting partnership, the Adams 12 Five Star STEM Program, featuring Northglenn HS STEM and STEM Launch K-8, is teaming up with the University of Colorado Boulder’s Science Discovery (CUSD) to launch an innovative STEM Learning Center. Supported by the Colorado Department of Education through the  Colorado Academic Accelerator Program (CO-AAP), this initiative is set to transform out-of-school time education, offering students immersive, hands-on STEM experiences that extend well beyond the classroom.  The grant provides full funding for the initiative  for the amount of $158,452 for year one with the possibility of a continuing grant for two additional years.

A Vision for Innovation:
Imagine a place where students in grades 2-8 can explore, create, and innovate—a hub of activity where curiosity is sparked, and critical skills are built. This is the vision for the new STEM Learning Center at STEM Launch K-8, offering summer camps, after-school programs, and family engagement events designed to ignite a passion for STEM within Five Star STEM.

Key Roles and Responsibilities:
To make this vision a reality, each partner brings their strengths to the table:

• Adams 12 Five Star Schools: Northglenn HS STEM and STEM Launch K-8 will provide the facilities, staff, and logistical support needed to run these transformative programs. They’ll also lead communication efforts, ensuring that families are informed and students are engaged every step of the way.
   
• CU Science Discovery, University of Colorado Boulder: CUSD will craft engaging, hands-on curricula tailored to young learners, manage the CO-AAP grant, and recruit a dedicated team of Learning Assistants and Facilitators. Their expertise will be essential in delivering high-quality STEM education.

A Collaborative Effort:
Success depends on strong collaboration. By planning together, recruiting top-notch staff, and maintaining open lines of communication, we’ll ensure that every program at the STEM Learning Center runs smoothly. Regular meetings and shared logistics will be crucial in delivering the best possible experience for our students.

Impact on the Community:
This partnership is more than just an educational program—it’s an investment in the future of our community. By providing state-of-the-art STEM education outside of regular school hours, we’re accelerating academic achievement and inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, and innovators. Family engagement events will further strengthen the ties between school, home, and the broader community.

Family Engagement Nights:
Family engagement is a cornerstone of this initiative. We’re hosting several Family Nights throughout the year, packed with math games, NISENet activities, and interactive opportunities for families to dive into STEM together. NISENet, or the Nanoscale Informal Science Education Network, offers hands-on activities that make complex concepts in nanotechnology and other cutting-edge science topics accessible and engaging for all ages. These events are designed to be a community affair, where parents and children can learn and explore side by side.

Hands-On Learning:
Our curriculum is dynamic and engaging, featuring high-impact math tutoring and interactive science experiments. Students will tackle engineering design challenges, like the paper airplane design and KEVA building activities, where they can think creatively and solve problems collaboratively.

Collaborative Projects and Community Involvement:
The STEM Learning Center will also nurture collaboration across grade levels. High school students from Northglenn HS STEM will mentor younger students, especially during Family Nights, helping to run activity stations and providing valuable role models.

Inspiring the Next Generation:
We’re bringing in special guest speakers and field experts to inspire students and families alike. Imagine hearing from a renowned paleontologist or an engineer from SpaceX—these sessions will open students’ eyes to the exciting career paths that STEM can offer.

Supportive Learning Environment:
We’re committed to ensuring that every student succeeds. That’s why we’re offering specialized math tutoring, personalized to meet each student's needs, and a variety of STEM-related games and printables to extend learning into the home.

STEM Summer Camps:
Summer is going to be even more exciting! Our STEM Summer Camps are open to all elementary students across the district, providing hands-on, immersive learning experiences that will ignite a lifelong love for STEM.

Safety and Community-Building:
We place a strong emphasis on creating a safe and welcoming environment for all participants. Our program will include safety summits, where students can voice their concerns, ensuring that the center remains a supportive space for learning and growth.

Looking Forward:
As we launch this program, families can look forward to a detailed schedule of activities, which we’ll share during our first Family Night on September 12th. This event will introduce families to the center’s offerings and provide a sneak peek into the exciting year ahead, including a tutorial on Imagine Math.

Conclusion:
The STEM Learning Center at STEM Launch K-8 is set to become a beacon of innovation, offering students and their families unparalleled opportunities to engage with STEM in meaningful and exciting ways. Stay tuned for more updates as the program unfolds!

Special thanks to the Northglenn High School community for submitting this Five Star Story. We appreciate seeing collaboration between schools to ELEVATE student success.

This story exemplifies our ELEVATE Focus Area: 21st Century Learners. Sharing stories of students who collaborate, think critically, problem-solve and are digitally literate to thrive in today’s ever-changing world.