STrEaM program overview

Considering Anchorage STrEaM Academy charter for middle school (grades 6, 7 and 8)?

Here is a brief overview of our program to help families make an informed decision:

At STrEaM, we focus on Project-Based Learning: hands-on, collaborative research and cross-curricular education. Students have grade-level classes in core subjects, with support and enrichment options in math and language arts. Electives change each quarter, with options such as art, outdoor survival, dance, archery, and music.  Each student has an Advisory groups for academic support and social-emotional learning.

We emphasize STEM across the curriculum, including robotics, coding, and rocketry. Most students have a STEM class in addition to their grade level science class. Math includes Algebra, Geometry, even Algebra II.  Students have access to Chromebooks, and assignments are on Google Classroom.

An example of Project-Based & STEM learning can be read here: https://rapidsreport.blogspot.com/2019/03/the-mayor-comes-to-stream.html

We go outside every day! This experiential approach includes outdoor-based PE, frequent field trips, accessing local parks, and full day TREKs to places like Arctic Valley, Eklutna Lake, Cheney Lake and more. Classes utilize local parks and engage in the community frequently for research and projects.

We lease space at Wayland Baptist University on Muldoon. School is in session 8 AM until 3 PM, except on Wednesdays when we early release at 12:00 for collaborative teacher planning. Students bring their lunches and eat in classrooms, or sign up for lunch delivery with https://woodenspoonsalaska.schoollunchchoice.com/.

We offer a variety of after school programs, and have our own ASD sports teams for Cross-Country Running and Cross-Country Skiing. Students may participate in after school activities and sports at their neighborhood school as well.

Learning at STrEaM Academy is hands-on, engaging and fun! Our school culture is positive, warm and welcoming. We do middle school right!
#ExplorersWanted

Lottery application link: https://lotapp.asdk12.org/apply/

For more information:

Call (907) 742-9000

Stop by between 8 AM and 3:30 PM @ Wayland Baptist University on Muldoon.

Email the principal: mokelke_adam@asdk12.org

Email Admin. Assistant:

biondich_sylvia@asdk12.org
Visit our web page: http://stream.asdk12.org/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AnchorageSTrEaMAcademy/

Twitter @Anc_STrEaM_AK
Instagram @Anchorage_Stream_Academy https://www.instagram.com/anchorage_stream_academy/

What is STrEaM Academy?

What is STrEaM Academy and why should you choose us?

Welcome to Anchorage STrEaM Academy! We are a middle school, and ASD's newest charter school, located at Wayland University in East Anchorage.

Our name infuses "STEM" (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) with research & the arts. We are a unique charter middle school for grades 6, 7 & 8 driven by our mission, "Anchorage STrEaM Academy empowers students to be involved learners, critical thinkers and engaged citizens inspired by the natural world." How do we do this?

Curriculum and instruction at STrEaM is driven by Project-Based Learning, incorporating STEM and experiential outdoor education. Students are taught through an integrated, hands-on approach. Instead of traditional "sit and get" learning, teachers work together to design projects encompassing multiple standards across subject areas. Class sizes are small, around 20 students, and student engagement is high.

What is an example of Project-Based Learning? 6th grade students study renewable and non-renewable energy resources from scientific, social, political and economic perspectives. They simulate mining and oil drilling in labs, engineer wind turbines, focus on the viability of renewable energy resources like wind or hydroelectric in our community, and present their findings to the Mayor of Anchorage for their final assessments. This model engages students by providing choice, allowing them to explore interests, work hands-on, collaborate in teams, research real topics and issues, engage with the community, and present to an audience. Teachers move from the "sage on the stage" to the "guide on the side," becoming facilitators of learning and empowering their students.

Hand-in-hand with STEM and Project-Based Learning at ASA is our focus on Experiential Education. We believe in getting kids outdoors and out in the community and environment in which we live. On a daily basis, we build in movement, activities, brain breaks, short recesses outdoors or walks in our local parks. Kids need exercise, activity and fresh air! STrEaM students go outside every day.

We take several school-wide TREKs (Teaching Research Education with Kids), full-day excursions tied to learning goals and projects in our community and local environment. Our annual TREKs include trips to Arctic Valley, Lake Eklutna and Cheney Lake. Throughout the year guest presenters engage students on topics including STEM fields, wildlife, careers, local government, weather, energy and much more. Through these experiences our students are learning to be the future leaders and stewards of our community and environment.

The results of this approach to teaching and learning show. Our school culture is strong and positive, close-knit, not tolerant of bullying. We are engaged, focused on curiosity, inquisitiveness, discovery and learning. Students love their school, and our staff wouldn't work anyplace else. We all strive to make STrEaM the best school possible for our students.

Each Wednesday we release school at 12:00, so our dynamic staff have time to design and plan for Project-Based Learning. We provide 1 to 1 technology with student Chromebooks and all staff utilized Google Classroom to post assignments and information online. Our facilities at Wayland Baptist include 10 classrooms, a library, offices, access to the auditorium, a large fenced yard, and easy access to multiple parks.

If you love outdoor sports, we have our own ASD cross country running and skiing teams. Students can also participate in sports and after school activities at their neighborhood school

Great things are happening at STrEaM, and you are invited to join us. Explorers wanted!

For more information: Call now (907) 742-9000

Stop by between 8 AM and 3:30 PM at Wayland Baptist University on Muldoon, across from the Totem theatre, or come for school tours each Tuesday in February at 9:30 AM.

Email the principal: mokelke_adam@asdk12.org

Email the Admin. Assistant/front office: biondich_sylvia@asdk12.org

Visit our web page at http://stream.asdk12.org/

Follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/AnchorageSTrEaMAcademy/

On Twitter @Anc_STrEaM_AK
Instagram @Anchorage_Stream_Academy https://www.instagram.com/anchorage_stream_academy/

The Mayor comes to STrEaM

Mayor Berkowitz visits STrEaM Academy!
Tuesday, March 5th

6th grade students presented their renewable energy recommendations to Mayor Ethan Berkowitz when he visited STrEaM Academy today.

The Mayor's visit was the finale for the multi-disciplinary "energy project" taught by Ms. Draeger, incorporating Science, Math, Social Studies and Language Arts. Students learned about non-renewable and renewable energy, civic implications, research and letter writing.  

Guest speakers from Alaska Resource Education, Renewable Energy Alaska and CIRI Fire Island Wind Project have presented to students as part of this project, engaging them in hands-on activities to increase their understanding of energy forms and sources. 

3rd Place State KidWind team

Ms. Draeger also prepared students by participating in the KidWind project. Students designed wind turbines and presented their models. Winners of the 6th grade class competitions went on to the State KidWind competition, earning third place! 

Students wrote letters to the Mayor summarizing their research on wind energy, and presented their ideas and findings during his visit. Mayor Berkowitz has focused on clean energy for Anchorage, replacing streetlights with LED fixtures, and introducing electric busses. STrEaM students are contributing the the vision for an energy efficient Anchorage! 

Check out the ASD feature on this event on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvkVWFb11qk&feature=youtu.be

Ms. Draeger, Mayor Berkowitz, APC member Rosa Perez, APC Chair Caroline Storm

STrEaM Robotics competition

STrEaM Robotics Club to compete December 1st

STrEaM's Robotics Club is getting ready for their competition at Central Middle School on Saturday December 1st.  Ms. Draeger, STrEaM's Science, Robotics and STEM teacher, also leads the after school club.


STrEaM has three teams entering the competition, with a total of 15 students. It is the third year in a row ASA has entered Robotics competitions, building a strong STEM tradition.

STrEaM Robotics is a part of First Robotics in the First Lego League division. The competition theme this year is "Into Orbit!"

Competition at Central Middle School is from 8 AM until 4 PM on Saturday. Parents, community members and fans are invited to join and watch the teams compete. Come support the Rapids Robotics squads!

Agenda:

8:15 – 9:00 Teams arrive and set up pit area

8:30 – 9:00 Team registration desk open

8:45 – 9:00 Coaches Meeting (gym)

9:15 – 11:15 3 Judging sessions

10:20 – 11:30 Practice rounds (gym)

11:30 – 12:15 Lunch (Bring your own)

12:00 – 12:20 Opening Ceremony (gym)

12:30 - 3:15 Official Robot Rounds (gym)

3:30 – 4:00 Closing Ceremony and Awards (gym)

All STrEaM students have the opportunity to take robotics as part of our STEM curriculum. Robotics club meets on Tuesdays after school.  Check out more about FIRST Robotics here: https://www.firstinspires.org/

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Canceling...

STrEaM Girls attend Engineering Event

11/14/18
STEM at STrEaM!

On November 13th, ten STrEaM students attended the "Introduce a Girl to Engineering Day" at the Egan Center.

Students participated in hands-on events and challenges designed and led by real engineers in our community. ASA's STEM, Robotics and Science teacher Ms. Draeger attended with students, along with Project Coordinator Megan Gatlin.

















7th grader Abby Ahlfield wants to be a Mechanical Engineer. She learned that engineering is a broad field with many different specialties. Her favorite activity was the balloon tower, as she was challenged by communicating with her group to create the tallest possible tower.

The event, a partnership between ASD, Girl Scouts of America and Exxon-Mobile, was covered by local media: https://www.ktva.com/story/39476448/young-girls-explore-career-options-in-engineering