Attribute 2.1
STEM PROGRAMS
Model: School program has partnerships with other schools, communities, postsecondary institutions, and businesses to identify solutions for executing a quality STEM school/program; partnerships are purposeful, mutually beneficial, monitored, and evaluated.
Hendersonville Elementary has over 22 partnerships with other schools, our community, universities, and businesses. Many of our business partnerships are involved in our STEM program. Our STEM teachers have opportunities to meet with businesses and community members involved in STEM professions. We have worked with many businesses to create experiences for teachers. Some include WLOS, Pardee, SMARTRAC, Manuel Woodworker, Vulcan Rock Quarry, Civil Air Patrol National Institute of Standards and Technology, Henderson Cooperative Extension Agency, and many more. The Western Region Education Service Alliance (WRESA) has provided monthly professional development and resources through the N.C. Science House for teachers.
Several of these companies have also provided materials, student field trips and guest speakers in our classrooms. These companies also have representatives on our STEM Advisory Committee and help us make decisions about the direction of our program.
Another beneficial partnership is Hands On Children’s Museum. Hands On provides STEM opportunities throughout the year for students and collaborates with our STEM committee.They support our curriculum and county’s pacing guide.
Recently, joining our K-12 pipeline is the American University of Women and Girl Scouts -Girls go TechBridge..
Hosting large-scale events for families of our STEM community requires lots of help. We are fortunate to have some specific business partnerships that sponsor and help with many of our activities. They provide all of the materials for our students to be engaged in science for the day as well as publicity for our program. We also had materials sent to us through the Duke Energy NC Science Festival in order to involve families in a Math and Science Night at Hendersonville. Without the support of these businesses and organizations, none of these things would be possible.
Our final partnership that needs to be highlighted are our feeder schools and University STEM pipeline. The Hendersonville High School and Hendersonville Middle School support our STEM events by volunteering and assisting STEM activities. Both schools have been beneficial in supporting our robotic club. Dr. Long from Appalachian State has provided feedback and encouraged our students and teachers to participate in math and STEM opportunities such as several students participated in the Mathematics Math and STEM Fair at ASU.
Students participating in several STEM activities during off campus field trips.
Partnership with Team ECCO
Hendobots partner with the the High School Robotic team
HES partners with the Henderson County Tree Board
