Coppell ISD has introduced a science, technology, engineering, arts and math curriculum to elementary school for the 2023-24 school year. The district added 11 full-time STEAM teachers, one for each elementary school. Students will attend the STEAM courses once a week in addition to their art, physical education and music electives.

A closer look

The program was announced in a press release in March with the district saying this is the first STEAM program of its kind in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The curriculum will allow students to engage in hands-on projects to enhance their problem-solving skills. The program will also emphasize values such as teamwork and communication by having the children work together in groups to finish their assignments. These projects will introduce students to skills such as robotics, coding and design. A recent project for the students included drawing an emoji and using iPad technology to create a voice and make the image move in 3D.

Quote of note

“This initiative cohesively aligns with the current STEAM pathways in CISD middle and high schools,” CISD Superintendent Brad Hunt said in a release. “It will allow CISD to continue its innovative approach to learning and focus even more on hands-on applications, design thinking and career exploration from an early age.”