Gulliver Academy Lower School selected to participate in national elementary STEM pilot program

MIAMI - Aug. 14, 2013 - PRLog -- MIAMI, Florida ­ ­– Gulliver Academy Lower School is proud to announce its selection as one of just 44 schools in the United States invited to pilot the newest science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) program for students in grades K-5. The elementary STEM program is designed and developed by Project Lead The Way (PLTW), the nation’s leading provider of STEM education curricular programs for middle-school and high-school students. By offering this new elementary STEM program, Gulliver further expands its high-quality educational offerings.

Studies show that students decide as early as second and third grade whether they like, and think they are good at, math and science. Project Lead The Way’s elementary program is designed for students in kindergarten through fifth grades and will align with academic standards such as Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards. Through a series of topic-based modules, students will engage in design problems that encourage collaboration, analysis, problem solving and computational thinking.

“We are thrilled to be included in this new pilot program and are proud that Ms. Lisa Judy-Smith has been selected from thousands of educators to implement the program,” said John Krutulis, Gulliver’s director and head of schools. Judy-Smith, Gulliver’s lead teacher for the elementary pilot, will also help conduct professional development for teachers at Gulliver Academy Lower School who are involved in the pilot program.

The 44 schools invited to participate in the pilot program will test 12 STEM modules and play an integral role in the development of the final version of the curriculum by providing feedback on their experiences to PLTW. The feedback will influence curriculum development, balanced assessment for elementary students and the creation of effective professional development for instructors. The final version of the elementary program will be available to all school districts in the United States for the 2014-15 school year.

This is the second time PLTW has selected Gulliver to implement a pilot program. In January 2013, Gulliver Academy Middle School was selected to implement a national biomedical sciences pilot program in South Florida. The program, developed by PLTW, was launched this past spring. The middle school curriculum, known as Medical Detectives, is part of the Middle School’s Gateway To Technology program. In this program, students explore the biomedical sciences through hands-on projects and labs that require them to solve a variety of medical mysteries. 

ABOUT GULLIVER SCHOOLS

Gulliver Schools is a 501(c)(3) private, non-profit, independent, coeducational, nonsectarian day school with the mission of providing a superior, personalized college-preparatory education fostering well-rounded, successful, lifelong learners. Gulliver is committed to developing the unique gifts and talents of each student in a nurturing environment that promotes academic excellence, innovation, global understanding and character. For more information about Gulliver Schools visit www.gulliverschools.org.

ABOUT PLTW

Project Lead The Way (PLTW) is the leading provider of rigorous and innovative STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education curricular programs used in schools. As a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, PLTW exists to prepare students for the global economy through its world-class curriculum, high-quality professional development and an engaged network of educators, students, universities and professionals. PLTW's comprehensive curriculum has been collaboratively designed by PLTW teachers, university educators, engineering and biomedical professionals and school administrators to promote critical thinking, creativity, innovation and real-world problem solving skills in students. The hands-on, project-based program engages students on multiple levels, exposes them to areas of study that they typically do not pursue and provides them with a foundation and proven path to college and career success. More than 4,700 schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia are currently offering PLTW courses to their students. For more information, visit www.pltw.org.