Our Schools

STEM

Portrait of a stem graduate, gears and grey silhouette of a graduate

 

The STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Department in Mansfield ISD is committed to creating a strong STEM pipeline focused on preparing learners for the jobs of tomorrow.  Learners who attend our STEM programing will have the opportunity to engage in critical thinking and creative innovation while building technology and problem solving skills.  STEM learners are immersed in hands-on experiences with community partners; allowing learners to become authentic collaborators and effective communicators.  In Mansfield ISD we know that introducing learners to these skills today will prepare them to work in the careers of tomorrow.

Our STEM programs ensure learners are future ready by exposing them to a variety of STEM careers beginning in 3rd grade, offering the opportunity for STEM focused internships during high school, through the development of 21st century skills, and engagement with design processes.

Learners become effective communicators while attending our STEM academies.  Learners are given opportunities to communicate to large audiences at showcases and to smaller audiences by presenting to panels of experts.  Additionally, learners become effective communicators by learning how to give and receive critical feedback through a variety of feedback protocols and structures used at our STEM academies.

Learners are exposed to real world problem finding and solving while attending our STEM academies. These problems can range in issues facing our local community to issues that are facing the larger global community.  Through these problem solving opportunities, learners are weighing the ethical considerations of the solutions they develop; understanding that the goal of any solution should be to do the most good and the least harm.

Learners become strategic thinkers by following a design process when solving real world problems during project based learning.  Learners use either the Engineering Design Process or Design Thinking to ideate and create solutions, they then plan testing protocols for these solutions and make multiple iterations based on the outcomes of the test.  With this process learners develop project management skills.

Through the STEM framework, learners will have opportunities to experience setbacks and learn from them positively through productive struggle.  This approach is strategic as we move our learners from working for a specific grade to viewing success as an outcome of improvement and growth.  In this approach, learners realize that learning is a result of taking risks and failing but being resilient to try different ideas as they persevere through problem solving.

MISD STEM fosters an environment where learners engage in collaborative group work that emphasizes the importance of teamwork to complete the task.  During their time in our program learners will collaborate with peers, administrators, designers and members of our larger community.  We move collaboration beyond “group work” to high functioning, solutions oriented teams where each individual member learns they can grow and benefit from the input of the entire team.

Get In Touch

Victoria Webster, Director of STEM
Address | 605 E Broad Street, Bldg. 200, Mansfield, Texas 76063
Phone | 682-320-9070

Our Staff

Mansfield ISD STEM Newsletter
Subscribe to the STEM Newsletter

Get the latest news and important updates within the MISD STEM division. Get signed up today!