STEM

Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) jobs are on the rise. A recent U.S. Department of commerce study shows that over the past 10 years, growth in STEM jobs was three times greater than non-STEM jobs. There are indications that growth in STEM jobs is expected to continue in the future.


The Half Hollow Hills CSD has implemented a number of initiatives to help prepare our students for potential careers in STEM fields. We believe it is critical to provide our students opportunities to explore and investigate the physical and living environments beginning at an early age. Fostering young children's innate scientific curiosity is likely to encourage them to continue their study of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in the future.


In Half Hollow Hills, our students are immersed in STEM activities beginning in elementary school. These experience serve to cultivate student enthusiasm for science and technology. As students progress to middle school and high school, the STEM experiences become more advanced and challenging. The result is a program that truly embraces the importance of providing students opportunities to solve scientific and engineering problems. These experiences will help prepare our students for the STEM careers of the 21st Century.


Check out some of the exciting STEM Programs Below:


Elementary Engineering Club:

The club curriculum is focused on the integration of all STEM components. Fourth and fifth grade students partcipate in a series of real-world challenges that require collaborative and creative problem-solving. Students utilize various engineering materials, including Lego Simple Machine kits to build various structures designed to meet the specific criteria outlined in the given design challenge. At the conclusion of each design challenge cycle, students are invited to the Discovery Center for presentations and product testing.


FTC Robotics:

The FIRST Tech Challenge requires students to design, build, and program robots capable of completing pre-determined tasks. High school students utilize Tetrix and Lego robotics system kits to create unique and creative robots. Robot dimensions are approximately 18" x 18" x 18" that compete on an approximate 12' x 12' playing field. Students compete in various competitions throughout the year testing their robot designs in an annual FIRST challenege game.


FRC Robotics:

The FRC Robotics Competition requires high school students, in collaboration with engineering mentors, to design, build, and program a 120lb robot that can successfully complete specific predetermined tasks outlined in an annual FIRST challenge. In recent years, students have been asked to construct robots that accurately relocate objects, toss balls into baskets, navigate mazes, and climb towers. These tasks require that the robots be capable of receiving human input as well as be autonomously controlled.