What is STEM?

Cabarrus County offers the only K-12 STEM Pipeline in the state of North Carolina. Our STEM schools teach using an interdisciplinary, problem-based approach to learning.  Students are encouraged to utilize the design cycle, work collaboratively, and think creatively.  Teachers use the inquiry model of teaching - they are facilitators who lead a student centered classroom.

• Elementary
• Introduces students to Problem Based Learning providing opportunities for authentic growth and development.
• Links learning to career and industry as students investigate real world problems.
• Promotes innovative thinking through the use of technology and our engineering design cycle.
• Allows students the opportunity to explore, experiment, and solve problems logically.
• Young children with a strong foundation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics will go on to play an integral role in our nation’s global competitiveness and economic stability.

• Middle
• Continues the use of Problem and Project Based Learning lessons to allow students to investigate and see real life connections.
• Develops innovative, critical thinkers who can communicate their ideas
• Lessons are student centered, and teachers are facilitators of learning
• Many lessons are hands-on and encourage the students to develop their curiosity.
• Uses the design cycle to help students improve their ideas and encourage a growth mindset.
• Interdisciplinary lessons help students transfer knowledge between subjects.

• High
• Continues Problem and Project based learning to make global connections.
• Provides opportunities for students to visit and work with community partnerships to see and understand how STEM is applied in the community around them.
• Focuses on the concept of teamwork to solve real-world scenarios
• Students are introduced to VEX robotics and higher levels of coding
• Students focus on concepts of engineering and technology in depth in all content areas to better comprehend the twenty-first century’s stance politically, socially, and economically.

Learn more about the only K-12 STEM Pipeline in North Carolina.