What is STEM & Why is it Important?

STEM is an acronym referring to the academic study of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. According to stemgeorgia.org, "STEM education is a transformative approach to traditional teaching and learning that fosters creativity and innovative thinking in all students. Not only does STEM education make school more engaging, but it also builds skills required for college, career, and the 21st century."
A STEM education is one in which content and 21st century outcomes are integrated to prepare students for an ever-changing, increasingly complex world. STEM students are taught to solve problems, make sense of new information, and gather and evaluate evidence to make informed decisions.
In a STEM classroom, students experience cognitive demand, autonomy and risk taking, connections between learning and the world outside of school, the integration of disciplines, student cooperation and teamwork, and the customization of learning.
"21st Century Skills" refers to a broad set of knowledge, skills, work habits, and character traits that are widely believed to be critically important to success in today's world (EdGlossary.org). While the 4-Cs (communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity) are the most widely recognized, other important 21st century skills include social and emotional intelligence, technological literacy and problem solving abilities.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor Statistics:
  • In 2019, the median annual wage for a STEM occupation was $86,980. That is $48,820 higher than that of non-STEM occupations.
  • STEM occupations have above-average growth, making opportunities for STEM employment readily available.
  • STEM occupations have high educational requirements.
​"The future of the economy is in STEM. That's where the jobs of tomorrow will be." -- James Brown, executive director of the STEM Education Coalition in Washington, D.C.

Why Come to LSHS for STEM?

​Our Unique Curriculum

Lithia Springs High School is home to Douglas County's Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Magnet program. Use of Project Lead the Way's (PLTW) specialized curriculum in Biomedical Science, Computer Science, and Engineering distinguishes the STEM Magnet program from all other STEM CTAE pathways offered in DCSS.
Biomedical Science​
Engage Students, One Medical Mystery at a Time
​Working with the same tools used by professionals in hospitals and labs, students engage in compelling, hands-on activities and work together to find solutions to problems. Students take from the courses in-demand knowledge and skills they will use in high school and for the rest of their lives, on any career path they take.
​Computer Science
Empowering Students to be Technology Trailblazers
​The program’s interdisciplinary courses engage students in compelling, real-world challenges. As students work together to design solutions, they learn computational thinking not just how to code and become better thinkers and communicators. Students take from the courses in-demand knowledge and skills they will use in high school and for the rest of their lives, on any career path they take.
​Engineering
Empowering Students to Step Into the Role of an Engineer
​From launching space explorations to delivering safe, clean water to communities, engineers find solutions to pressing problems and turn their ideas into reality. PLTW Engineering empowers students to step into the role of an engineer, adopt a problem-solving mindset, and make the leap from dreamers to doers. The program’ s courses engage students in compelling, real-world challenges that help them become better collaborators and thinkers. Students take from the courses in-demand knowledge and skills they will use in high school and for the rest of their lives, on any career path they take.  
​Project Lead The Way provides transformative learning experiences for PreK-12 students and teachers across the U.S. We create an engaging, hands-on classroom environment and empower students to develop in-demand knowledge and skills they need to thrive. We also provide teachers with the training, resources, and support they need to engage students in real-world learning. Our pathways in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science engage students in hands-on activities, projects, and problems; empower them to solve real-world challenges; and inspire them to reimagine how they see themselves.

​Our Instructional Approach

​With personalized learning opportunities, STEM students are empowered to work collaboratively on complex, open-ended tasks. Through an inquiry-based approach for building knowledge and blended-learning experiences, instructors develop a more inclusive, interactive and creative approach to teaching. As a result, students develop self-confidence, independence, and pride in their accomplishments as they use newly-acquired content knowledge to explore, design, test, modify, and solve problems which exist in the real world. 
Graduates of the STEM program satisfy a diverse array of rigorous expectations, including AP and Dual Enrollment courses, to develop a comprehensive portfolio and résumé for their post-secondary endeavors.

We're TRIPPLE Certified!
Three separate agencies, each with its own rigorous and comprehensive certification process, have recognized the quality and value of the LSHS STEM program: the Georgia Department of Education (2016), Cognia Accreditation, formally AdvancED (2017), and the National Institute for STEM Education (2019).

History

The STEM Program at Lithia Springs High School was established in 2011 to provide the students of Lithia Springs the opportunity to pursue a specialized education in biomedical science, computer science, and engineering. In 2013, the program became limited admissions and required an application.  In 2014, the county made LSHS an official magnet school, allowing students from all over Douglas County the opportunity to apply to and enroll in the LSHS STEM program.

Instructional Approach

The LSHS STEM Magnet Program of Douglas County thrives on a foundation of Rigor, Support, Service, and Experience. STEM students remain engaged through a high level of rigor ensured by quality teachers, effective instruction, cross-curricular planning, competitive courses of study, and technology-driven, academically-based extra-curricular activities. The rigor is accompanied by service learning projects, continual student support, and quality internships. Lithia Springs strives to improve the world via science and service.

The STEM Magnet Program uses a problem-based approach to cross-disciplinary learning to deliver its curriculum. The curriculum is experienced by the students in an environment of advanced studies and high expectations with a pervasive integration of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in all STEM classes.

The STEM program at LSHS integrates Project Lead the Way's (PLTW) specialized curriculum with the CollegeBoard's Advanced Placement (AP®) courses to provide students a curriculum that is both rigorous and designed to enhance their STEM endeavors. ​

References

Last updated on 10/2/2019