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/

Message 8/20/19

Hello STrEaM Families,

We had an AMAZING first day! Staff and students were excited and the school buzzed with positivity and activity!

We are closely monitoring the air quality outdoors. As you know, we are a school that goes outside every day. Today, we did not require students to go outside (normally they cannot stay in when a class goes out). We allowed students with sensitivity to the air or other issues to stay inside.

Tomorrow we plan a school-wide trip to Chugach Foothills Park. We will again monitor the air quality; if it is in the "red" or unsafe zone, we will cancel this trip. If we do go ahead, we will still offer an alternative for students to stay at school.
If we cancel, we will move our Engineering Challenge up from Thursday.

If you have not yet signed the off campus permission form, we do need this by tomorrow morning!

Remember to send lunch and utensils with students tomorrow! They will have lunch in Advisory rooms again today.

What a GREAT start to the year! We have a few seats open in 7th and 8th grade, if you know anyone who would excel in a STEM-focused and project-based setting.

Thank you,

Adam Mokelke, Principal 

First Day of School!

August 20th, 2019

Dear STrEaM Families,

Welcome to the 2019 School Year! 

We start school Tuesday at 8 AM. You may drop off any time after 7:30 AM. 

Students will be given schedules when they arrive. We will open with an assembly in the auditorium at 8:05 AM.
School is out at 3:00. Please pick up by 3:30 PM. For pick up and drop off, please pull as far forward as possible before stopping in order to keep traffic moving. If you are not in a hurry, it is ok to park and come in or wait. Remember we early release every Wednesday, including this week. Wednesday lunch is at 11:30, pick up at 12.
Remember students bring their own lunches or you may order from Wooden Spoons. Lunch will be in Advisory for the first three days.
Friday is our first day with a regular schedule of classes. The next three days are orientation to STrEaM: assemblies, advisory group activities, engineering challenges, outdoor excursions, team building!
Students interested in X-C running meet at lunch Wednesday in Room 1. Practice begins Thursday at 3 PM, and all paperwork must be in before students can participate.
Wednesdays and TREKS are part of our academic program and not optional. They count, and matter, for attendance.
We go outside every day; rain, snow or shine. Students must dress for the weather, and please write names in all clothing and on water bottles.
We have a few seats open in 7th and 8th grade, and would appreciate referrals.

We are going to have a GREAT school year!
Thank you for choosing STrEaM Academy

Mr. Mokelke

Pick up/drop off pattern:

Welcome 19-20 school year

August 8th, 2019

Dear Parents and Guardians, 

Welcome to the 2019-20 school year!

We look forward to educating your children in a highly engaging, hands-on and positive learning environment. Throughout the year, look for the “Rapids Report” each week to stay up to date on important events and announcements. Here are the important things happening in the coming weeks:

Registration: Students must be registered each school year. If you have not done so, please complete online registration and select elective choices for first quarter at https://www.asdk12.org/stream

New family Q&A: Friday 8/9 at 5:30 PM in room 6. Meet with the principal for new family and student information. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and learn more about STrEaM Academy. 

Open House: Friday 8/16 from 4 to 6 PM, starting in the auditorium. All staff will be available. Meet teachers and prepare for the new school year. 

School starts Tuesday, August 20th. Drop off any time after 7:30 AM. Each day the first week of school we will start with an assembly in the auditorium at 8 AM. School is out at 3 PM, please pick up by 3:30. Remember Wednesdays we early release at 12:00. 

We are looking forward to a GREAT school year. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us at STrEaM Academy.

Sincerely,

Adam Mokelke, Principal

mokelke_adam@asdk12.org

(907) 742-9000

STrEaM Staff Spotlight: Mr. Holsopple

Zebulon Holsopple, Science and STEM

Mr. Holsopple teaches 7th grade Science and STEM at Anchorage STrEaM Academy. We welcomed him to the STrEaM dream team at the start of the 19-20 school year.  He joined us with 11 years experience teaching life sciences including biology, environmental science, earth science, marine biology, anatomy and physiology, and microbiology.

Born and raised in Eastern and Southern Africa, Mr. Holsopple has lived in Kenya, Uganda, Mozambique and the Kingdom of Eswatini. His extensive travels throughout the world provide him with an international and multi-cultural perspective. Growing up outdoors, his love of the natural world translated to a passion for science, the environment and education. His Masters degree in Education includes an emphasis on Environmental Science.

At the end of the 18-19 school year, Mr. Holsopple began substitute teaching at STrEaM and quickly connected with staff and students. Staff appreciated his steady support and willingness to help anywhere he was needed. When Mr. H had a moment of "down time," he would immediately go into classrooms to support students and teachers. Students appreciated his calm and patient presence as a substitute, repeatedly requesting he be brought back whenever subs were needed.

Excellence has been a trend throughout Mr. Holsopple's career. At Josephine Dobbs Clement Early College High School in Durham, North Carolina, he was recognized as the Teacher of the Year. In 2016, Mr. Holsopple was selected as the Battey National Educator of the Year by Depauw University (story here https://www.depauw.edu/news-media/latest-news/details/32372/). STrEaM found an outstanding science teacher, dedicated to students and the teaching profession.

Mr. Holsopple spends his time outside of school with his wife and children, traveling and enjoying the outdoors through hiking, camping, canoeing and biking. His favorite hobbies include photography, reading, backpacking, swimming and travel. He is proud to be a member of  theSTrEaM Academy staff, teaching 7th grade science and STEM. 

Contact Mr. Holsopple at holsopple_zebulon@asdk12.org

Excited for 2019-20

July 2019

Soon we will begin our 4th year at STrEaM Academy!

We are excited to continue providing middle school students with highly engaging project-based, experiential STEM education.

Our schedule will be the same as last year: full days (periods 1-7) Monday and Friday, block days Tuesday and Thursday, and early release on Wednesday. We expect enrollment between 150 and 160 students, and we are not adding any additional classrooms to our space at Wayland Baptist.  Stability and consistency are positives.

Our primary focus will be on our maintaining and growing a positive and supportive school climate and culture, while continuing to develop projects which engage students in hands-on and active learning. Expect frequent assemblies, students earning STrEaM "STAR" badges each month, and more positive recognition and celebration. We've hired a counselor, Mrs. Bonertz, who will enhance restorative practices, student support, and social-emotional learning.

STrEaM is also thrilled to add our own sports programs to meet the demand of our students: cross country running and skiing.

Important upcoming dates:
Offices re-open Monday 7/22
Lottery closes 7/25
APC Meeting 8/12 5:30 PM
Teachers return 8/15
School opens Tuesday 8/20!!

STrEaM appreciates your engagement and support! 

Contact us any time:

Principal Adam Mokelke, mokelke_adam@asdk12.org

Admin. Assistant Sylvia Biondich, biondich_sylvia@asdk12.org

(907) 742-9000

https://www.asdk12.org/stream

3rd Year in Review

June 2019

As we wrap up another school year, it is amazing to look at how far we have come and how much we've grown. We've been in existence for three years already!

STrEaM started in the fall of 2016 with 75 students. This fall our enrollment reached 150 students. At the end of the school year, we promoted 49 8th grades on to High School, many of whom have been with us all three years. This was our first group to attend 3 years with us, from 6th to 8th.

Another major milestone was achieved when the district, then the State's Department of Education and Early Development approved our charter renewal application for the next 10 years. This represents a lot of hard work and dedication by our APC members and staff. Our program is solid and sustainable.

Project-Based Learning continues to be our driving philosophy and focus. Projects happened constantly throughout the year, from the classroom to school-wide level. We started off with the "I Am" project, celebrated with parents and the community in a culminating potluck event. We held two excellent Student Showcases in December and May, putting projects, products and presentations on display to the community.

Looking to year 4, we are excited for stability and consistency. For the first time, we are not making major changes that come with increasing student enrollment. We should once again have between 150 and 160 students. We are not adding any additional classrooms, and staff turnover is minimal. The schedule will be the same: full days (periods 1-7) Monday and Friday, block days Tuesday and Thursday, and early release on Wednesday.

One exciting change is the addition of our own sports programs to meet the demand of our students. In the fall Mr. Mozen will lead our first cross country running team, and this winter we will have our own cross country skiing team.

This coming school year a major emphasis will be on our positive school culture. We will return to having monthly assemblies, and bring back STrEaM badges to recognize student achievement. We've hired a school counselor for the first time, Mrs. Bonertz, who will be a great addition to our team. Outdoor and experiential learning, along with integrating STEM across the curriculum, will continue being important aspects of our program. Our teachers will continue to develop interactive, hands-on projects to engage students in authentic and relevant learning. In short, our focus is on continuing to strengthen the great things we do.

An excellent third year is now behind us, and another great school year coming up. I return to the office July 22nd, with our new Administrative Assistance Mrs. Biondich. The lottery closes July 25th, and teachers return on August 14th. Tuesday August 20th will be the first day of school. See you then!