6th Grade STEM: Junior Solar Sprint Car (posted by Laurie Liddick; 08/12/10)
August 23 - September 10
Applying the engineering design process, student teams design and build a solar powered vehicle that will complete a 20 meter race in the shortest possible time.

During this unit, students will learn the importance of photovoltaic technology and its role as a viable renewable energy source. Other scientific topics that will be introduced to students include gear to wheel ratio, friction, basic aerodynamics and vehicle structure.

This hands-on STEM unit exposes students to real world and career opportunities in the field of technology, engineering, physics, earth sciences.

2nd Grade STEM: Agricultural Engineering (posted by Laurie Liddick; 08/12/10)
August 30 - September 10
This unit helps students connect their knowledge of insects to a broader understanding of the natural system of pollination. Science concepts including insects, life cycles, pollination, and natural systems are introduced and reinforced, and different aspects of agricultural engineering are explored.

Through lessons and the unit's storybook--set in and around a young girl's butterfly garden in the Dominican Republic--students learn about the importance of balance within natural and agricultural systems, and consider what can happen when this balance goes awry. Students are introduced to agricultural engineering from a broad perspective, with brief overviews of Integrated Pest Management and pollination. For the design challenge students design and improve hand pollinators to work with different model flowers.

This hands-on STEM unit exposes students to real world and career opportunities in the field of botany, biological sciences, and engineering.

Kindergarten STEM: Animals (posted by Warren Astler; 08/12/10)
September 7 - 10
This unit introduces the needs and behaviors of reptiles, mammals, amphibians, and birds. A reptile expert will discuss species such as snakes, lizards, and turtles using live specimens. Using live mammals, such as the Tenrac shown in the photo, experts from the Denver Zoo will instruct students on animal classification, habitats and special adaptations. If time permits, students will also explore the technology used in veterinary medicine with a local veterinarian.

This hands-on STEM unit exposes students to real world and career opportunities in the field of veterinary and zoological sciences.

7th Grade STEM: Seacamp San Diego (posted by Warren Astler; 08/12/10)
Week 1: September 13 - 17

Week 2: September 20 - 24

SeaCamp San Diego is a week long marine biology education camp that provides innovative, hands-on, and interactive opportunities for students. Experiences include fish and squid dissection, nighttime adaptations, and invertebrate and shark labs. Topics covered in lab are reinforced and applied in field activities.

This trip allows students to explore physical oceanography while at La Jolla shores and attend workshops about marine mammal behavior. Students participate in several activities including kayaking, seining, tidepool exploration, and snorkeling at the Coronado Islands.

This hands-on STEM unit exposes students to real world and career opportunities in the field of marine biology.

Please see downloads on left hand side of this page for specific information on your child's trip.


Please click to visit the Seacamp website.

4th Grade STEM: Electrical Engineering (posted by Warren Astler; 08/13/10)
October 4 - 15
This unit helps students to apply their knowledge of electricity, circuits, conductors, and insulators as they design and construct their own alarm circuits. The science concepts of electricity/energy transfer, conductors and insulators, and complete and incomplete circuits are reinforced. Students are also introduced to schematic diagrams, a symbol "language" that electrical engineers use to plan and design circuits.

Through lessons and the unit's storybook, which takes place on a station (or ranch) in the Australian outback, students embark on an electricity scavenger hunt. Using the engineering process, students practice drawing schematic diagrams, create, and improve their own alarm switch and circuit to remind them when it is time to do an important chore.

This hands-on STEM unit exposes students to real world and career opportunities in the field of electrical engineering.

5th Grade STEM: Magnetic Levitation (MAGLEV) Vehicles (posted by Warren Astler; 08/13/10)
October 4 - 15
While studying the principles of magnetic levitation (MAGLEV), students will apply the engineering design process in the development of a MAGLEV vehicle.

During the engineering process, students perform tests and trials, collect data and use the information in the redesign of their MAGLEV vehicle for the use in a MAGLEV competition that culminates this unit.

Scientific concepts taught during this unit include Newton’s three laws of motion, magnetic levitation, and magnetic attraction and repulsion forces.

This hands-on STEM unit exposes students to real world and career opportunities in the field of mechanical engineering, electrical engineering and mathematics.


8th Grade STEM: Computer Aided Design: Google Sketch-Up (posted by Warren Astler; 08/13/10)
October 25 - 29
Students are introduced to Google Sketchup, a 3D computer modeling software program designed for architects, civil engineers and related professions. They will learn the concepts of model making through teacher-led instruction and self-paced tutorials. Students will complete one original design of an interior living space, work station, or kitchen for a future remote outpost (ie, Antarctica, mars base, under sea base, etc).

This hands-on STEM unit exposes students to real world and career opportunities in the field of civil and architectural engineering, and mathematics.

1st Grade STEM: Marine Biology (posted by Warren Astler; 08/13/10)
November 2 - 5
This unit guides students to think like marine biologists as they use their knowledge of marine creatures to investigate their adaptations and life cycles.

Students are introduced to the life cycles, defense mechanisms, energy cycles, adaptations, and environments of the perch, dog shark, squid, and starfish. Peer mentoring will take place as seventh grade students assist first graders during the dissection processes. Students will participate in the ancient Japanese folk art of fish painting called “Gyotaku.”

Students will then use their marine biology skills as they become marine biologists for a day while visiting the Denver Aquarium and possibly meeting with a marine biologist.

This hands-on STEM unit exposes students to real world and career opportunities in the field of marine biology.

5th Grade STEM: Robotics (posted by Warren Astler; 08/13/10)
November 8 - 12
NXT robots and LEGO Mindstorm software will be used to instruct students on advanced engineering programming. Loops, switches, data flow, and engineering processes will all be explored. Students will complete autonomous miner simulation. Simulation will require students to navigate a collapsed mine shaft will the goal of rescuing trapped miners. Students will design, build, program, and test their rescue robot using LEGO Mindstorm software. This unit builds upon previous knowledge of the robotics curriculum from previous grades.

This hands-on STEM unit exposes students to real world and career opportunities in the field of technology, engineering, mathematics.

3rd Grade STEM: Environmental Engineering (posted by Warren Astler; 08/13/10)
November 8 - 19
This unit addresses the increasingly important issue of water quality through lessons that teach students about the human need for clean and safe drinking water, water contamination and the consequential need for environmental engineers to ensure water quality. Students plan, construct, test, and improve their own water filters.

This hands-on STEM unit exposes students to real world and career opportunities in the field of ecology, environment sciences, and engineering.

Event Calendar
Aug 23 - Sept 10
6th Grade STEM: JSS
Aug 30 - Sept 10
2nd Grade STEM: Agricultural Engineering
Sept. 7 - 10
Kindergarten STEM: Animals
Sept 10
2nd Grade STEM Field Trip: Miller Farms
Sept 13 - 17
SEACAMP San Diego, 7th Grade, Week 1 SEACAMP SAN DIEGO Website
Sept 20 - 24
SEACAMP San Diego, 7th Grade, Week 2 SEACAMP SAN DIEGO Website
Sept 27- Oct 14
5th Grade STEM: Magnetic Levitation (MAGLEV) Vehicles
Oct 4 - 14
4th Grade STEM: Electrical Engineering
Oct 25 - 29
8th Grade STEM: Computer Aided Design: Google Sketch-Up/CAD
Nov 2 - 4
1st Grade STEM: Marine Biology
Nov 8 - 12
5th Grade STEM: Robotics
Nov 8 - 19
3rd Grade STEM: Environmental Engineering
Nov 29 - Dec 10
5th Grade STEM: Bioengineering
Dec 6 - 10
6th Grade STEM: Robotics
Dec 6 - 16
2nd Grade STEM: Robotics WEDO
Jan 3 -11
3rd Grade STEM: Robotics
Jan 13 - 21
7th Grade STEM: Forensics
Jan 18 - Feb 4
6th Grade STEM: Challenger Learning Center: Operation Montserrat eMission
Jan 23 - 28
8th Grade Trip to Yosemite Institute Yosemite Institute Website
Jan 24 - Feb 4
Kindergarten STEM: Geometry and Architecture
Jan 24 - Feb 4
1st Grade STEM: Materials Engineering
Feb 28 - March 4
4th Grade STEM: Robotics
March 7 - 18
2nd Grade STEM: Industrial Engineering
March 28 - April 8
5th Grade STEM: Packaging
March 28 - April 1
7th Grade STEM: Robotics
Apr 4 - 15
4th Grade STEM: Geotechnical Engineering
April 11 - 21
5th Grade STEM: Rocketry
Apr 11 - 22
7th Grade STEM: Save the Biosphere: “Biopshere 3”
April 25 - May 6
8th Grade STEM: Rocketry
May 2 - 13
1st Grade STEM: Chemical Engineering
May 9 - 13
Kindergarten STEM: Ecology
May 15 - 21
6th Grade STEM: Crow Canyon Archaeological Center Crow Canyon Archaeological Center Website
May 16 - 26
3rd Grade STEM: Wings' Aviation Science Program (WASP)