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As little ones are naturally inquisitive and motivated explorers, IRCS supports these behaviors implementing STEM activities in the classroom. Each teacher creates an environment of curiosity and exploration as students observe and interact with God’s creation. Students have the freedom to ask questions and be creative problem solvers with teachers who love to foster a positive attitude toward STEM education. Through the use of hands-on activities, students obtain an understanding of the scientific and engineering processes and how important it is to care for our planet and show concern for others in our world.

Elementary STEM covers basics in science, technology, engineering and math. Students practice problem solving with simple science and engineering projects. With a focus on fostering a lifelong love of learning and instilling passion to learn, our STEM program engages students in meaningful and collaborative work that mirrors real life.

Students learn to look at the world with curiosity, think critically, and apply practical knowledge to solve problems. These are 21st-century skills that will serve all students well in their academic and professional lives. STEM also helps bridge the gap between school, the workplace, and the broader economy by highlighting the kinds of problems people are paid to solve every day.

Kindergarten-2nd Grade classes use STEM bins weekly to:

• Think divergently, inventively, and imaginatively
• Solve a problem with specified constraints
• Build creative design skills
• Apply structures to real world designs
• Construct a variety of two-dimensional shapes, three dimensional shapes, lines, and angles using basic geometry
• Examine multiple perspectives in visual arts
• Build fine motor skills

Third-5th Grade classes complete STEM challenges that require only simple supplies and are terrific for partners or groups. They also have on-campus field trips, visiting our STEM center often. Students are directed to ask questions and define problems, carry out investigations, analyze and interpret data, and develop and construct models. Our 4th & 5th grade student also participate in an annual JR. Science fair.

Middle school is a time when students are experiencing a lot of new changes. To assist them on their journey, we offer a variety of activities they can explore, both during and after school. The middle school computer science class introduces students to how computers function and interact with the digital world that has become a part of our everyday lives. It then begins them along a journey of computer programming where they will learn ways of providing instructions to computers in order to accomplish beneficial tasks. Additionally, Students have an opportunity to participate in the after-school Robotics Club. This club allows students to engineer, build and code robots to accomplish a new challenge that is presented each year by the REC Foundation (Robotics Education & Competition Foundation). During the fall, students will start preparing for the VEX IQ middle school competitions where they will work alongside many other teams from around our area seeking a spot at the State competition level and maybe even the worlds competition. Students in the 8th grade may also explore the computer science area of coding in an after school python coding class. The pre-honors 8th science class has an extended research project they will present during our science and engineering fair always held in January. This is great experience for students who are interested in diving deep into the scientific method and learning how to think like a scientist. All students in middle school enjoy hands-on activities within their science classes with passionate teachers who really enjoy what they teach.

High school is a time when students have a deeper opportunity to serve and build their resume for future education and employment. Like middle school students, They have a variety of after school activities they can explore. Students have an opportunity to participate in the Robotics Club. This after-school club allows students to engineer and code robots to accomplish a specific task. During the fall, students will start preparing for the VEX EDR High School Competition.

Students may also join additional clubs that focus on environmental concerns, medical career awareness or introduction to computer coding. These are all after school club opportunities for students to learn about different careers within our STEM community.

IRCS also engages in outside science, engineering and math competitions to challenge students to solve real-world problems. From 2016-2020, an IRCS student has taken home the Best of Show Project in the Senior Regional Science and Engineering Fair.