Science Technology Magnet Program

Are you familiar with the Issaquah School District program known as Science Tech? Cultural Bridges invited one Science Tech teacher, Amy Krohn, and three former Science Tech students to share their experiences and knowledge about this program.

BY AMY KROHN ISD Elementary Teacher, Science Technology

The full name of Science Tech is the Science Technology Magnet Program, which is Issaquah School District’s only elementary school option program. It is located at three elementary schools in the District: Briarwood, Cascade Ridge, and Clark. Students who wish to attend submit an application in the spring of their 3rd-grade school year. Since there are limited spots for the program, the District determines placement in the program through a lottery. Students who are not chosen in the lottery to attend Science Tech are put on a waitlist. Students chosen in the lottery then enroll at the school they are selected for and stay for 4th and 5th grade. All 3rd-grade students are welcome to apply.

Science Tech is a 2-year program where students stay with us for BOTH 4th and 5th grade. We are a multiaged classroom and work collaboratively in all subject areas. We also integrate STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) into everyday learning. Students benefit from a mentor relationship in our classroom, with 5th graders being given leadership opportunities as they move through the program.

Uniqueness

• 4th/5th Grade Multi-Age Classroom: 2 classrooms, 2 teachers • Two-year program • Diverse classroom family: 50-51 students! • A significant amount of collaborative group work • Leadership and mentoring from older students • Deeper and extended coverage of science curriculum and additional science units • Units and projects involving engineering and the Engineering Design Process • Technology integration across all content subjects and integrated content • Great access to technology devices and tools, including opportunities to use innovative technology • Logs of field trips and expert guest speakers from STEAM fields • Amazing parent volunteers

What is the same?

• The standard District-adopted curriculum is used. Reading, Writing, Eureka Mathematics, Social Studies, science kits • District programs like F.L.A.S.H. and 5th Grade Camp • SBA testing (+WCAS Science for 5th grade) • Specialists - P.E., Music, and Library • Social emotional learning embedded • Behavior expectations for the classroom & school are the same as any school in the District • Students encouraged to participate in the school’s activities • Students with IEPs will have scheduled pull-out times that align with their minutes • Students in SAGE will continue with SAGE services at the new school site • Math is taught at grade level

What is different?

The teaching approaches and student learning are different: • Team teaching approach (2 teachers) in 2 joined classrooms • Multi-age classroom • Project Based Learning • Technology used across all content areas • Engineering Design Process • Learning stations • Large whole group and small group work • Parent volunteers • Online Portfolios • Field trips • Focus on community, collaboration, creativity & personal connections to real-world applications • We are currently working on developing more lessons that integrate content

Which group of students will be a good fit for this program?

Students who do well in our program are organized, self motivated, and like to work in groups. With 50+ students in the classroom (25/26 in each 4th and 5th grade), there is a lot of movement and discussion. We have an inquiry based learning model where students need to be comfortable with solving problems and revising constantly. Science Tech is an innovative classroom experience. It moves quickly. Students with intrinsic motivation and determination, who desire to keep digging and learning, do well in our programs.

What are the benefits for the students who participated in this program?

Students leave the Science Tech program prepared to handle middle school successfully. They develop project management and time management skills. They become comfortable with taking risks to explore and be creative. Students learn how to be independent and self-sufficient problem solvers because of the multi-grade collaboration. Being in a large classroom gives students opportunities for independence and leadership.

Students Sharing their Experiences

What did you like the most and the least about this program? Any advice to the families who want to apply to this program or currently have students in this program? How was your transition to middle school?

Nicole Liu, 10th, Former Science Tech Student

The most beneficial experience from this program was probably inspiring young children in different interests before middle school and high school, where your freedom starts. Different topics we covered, whether in science or in technology, introduced me to things that I never would have thought would be interesting.

I enjoyed working with different types of technology such as Spheros, drones, and robots. We learned to code and worked with them to do simple and complex tasks. As someone who did not have any particular interest in technology beforehand, I actually began to take an interest in coding and robotics. Other than working with coding programs, we also did many workshops such as building electrical circuits and other hands-on building projects. These projects brought curiosity to many students making them want to learn more about the different projects. For science, we did different projects that involved labs. Our ecology unit was my favorite because we assembled an aquarium and terrarium in the classroom, and we took care of it. Another fun project we did was a bottle rocket launching competition to see what type of structure for a rocket would make it shoot the highest. We had access to many guest speakers and field trips, which was an informative experience outside the classroom. It’s important to be fully immersed and focused in every experiment or project because all of it is beneficial for not only middle school, but also high school.

I really liked having a class that I would spend two years with, where friendships would really stay strong. In fourth grade, the fifth-grade students were good mentors, and it was nice having older kids to connect with. In fifth grade, being older meant having a chance at leadership within the classroom. The strong friendships help a lot for the transition from Science Tech to middle school and even high school. Usually, you will see the fifth graders that were once in Science Tech when you were in 4th grade. It’s very encouraging to see people you already know and who help you with the transition. In the Issaquah School District, we take Tech Smart, an informative tech class everyone takes in sixth grade. I found that students in Science Tech already knew most of the material. It was an easy class to get an A in.

Noah Ojerio, 9th, Former Science Tech Student

We did a lot of different styles of writing throughout Science Tech. This helped improve my writing skills significantly. The writing assignments were challenging, but they increased my confidence and prepared me for middle school.

I loved all the field trips we did. My favorite was when we went on a boat and explored Puget Sound. We saw a giant octopus that was super cool. We did a bunch of activities on the boat as well. One activity I remember was when we had several tanks filled with sea creatures. We went around to each tank to touch each creature. They were all so interesting! I didn’t like that the classroom was so crowded. Fifty-two kids in one class is a lot! It makes it hard to focus and pay attention when everyone is so compact. I also found it weird to have fourth and fifth graders in the same class. Sometimes, like for math, we would split up the grade levels because we were learning different things.

It’s important to be organized and not procrastinate. Things go by very fast in this class, so don’t fall behind. It is very hard to catch up. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. The teachers promote independence and relying on your classmates and not the teacher.

The transition to middle school was very easy for me. I felt like the workload in middle school was less intense than in Science Tech. Also, the organizational skills and study habits that I gained were very beneficial.

Elina Reevosh, 6th, Former Science Tech Student

The teachers challenge you to get ready for the future, and they encourage you every step of the way.

One thing I loved about Science Tech was that it got me ready for middle school. It helped me learn how to transition quickly between classes. Also, I did learn how to organize myself, which is key for middle school. I also loved doing more hands-on projects too! When we transitioned to online school, the teachers still made it fun. I did not enjoy moving schools and having to get driven to school instead of taking the bus. It is a problem for parents because they may have to figure out how to get their kids to school. It may also upset the student because they may have to attend a different school for the Science Tech program. I had personal experience with that and, luckily, it did turn out ok.

Do your best ALWAYS! Don't get too stressed. The teachers are always willing to help. Never be embarrassed about your mistakes. You can always learn from them. Luck has nothing to do with success. You have got to work hard to achieve your success.

After the program, you will be ready to face your challenges and meet your goals in middle school! Just remember to work hard and do your best!