Holly Springs ES teachers Michelle Harris and Melody Gwinn show off their finished products from STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Cherokee robotics training to prepare for the STEM Academies launch.

The Cherokee County School District on the first day of school, Wednesday, August 1, 2012 launched the initial phase of its new Cherokee Academies initiative.  Designed to increase options for academic choice within the School District, the Academies for the 2012-13 School Year include: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Academies for Grades 3-5 at Ball Ground ES, Canton ES, Clark Creek ES and Holly Springs ES and Fine Arts Academies at Hasty ES and Oak Grove ES.

The opening of these Academies required significant work behind the scenes to develop curriculum and provide teachers with the professional development training to implement these lesson plans. 

STEM Cherokee training was offered over the summer by CCSD staff to develop lesson plans for new units, which include Design and Model Membranes; Engineering, Design and Robotics; Ecosystems; Electricity; Energy; Land Forms; Light and Sound; Magnetism; and Simple Machines. STEM 21 training will be offered throughout the year to teachers at these Academies to further enhance understanding of STEM subjects and the project-based learning model.

ArtsNOW, a professional learning initiative that trains educators to implement integrated arts programs to meet the needs of all students, this summer began leading professional development training for staff from the Fine Arts Academies and will continue to do so throughout the school year.  ArtsNOW’s curriculum is developed with collaborators including the Atlanta Ballet Centre for Dance Education, Emory University Department of Theater Studies, Georgia State University School of Music, the Savannah College of Art & Design/Atlanta and The National Consortium for Music‐in‐Education.

Oak Grove ES teachers Deena Medley and Megin Roebeck discuss a project they are working on that integrates music, art and math during ArtsNOW training to prepare for the Fine Arts Academies launch.

Oak Grove ES teacher Clay Gunter works on his project integrating music, art and math.

Teachers move around the room to review others’ work during the ArtsNOW training for the Fine Arts Academies. 

Holly Springs ES teachers participated in STEM Cherokee training using LEGO Mindstorm robotics. From left to right, front row: Jennifer Curtis, Lisa Naliwajka and Melody Gwinn; and back row: Kimberly Forrester, Julie Key, Michelle Harris, Lisa Lougheed and Lisa Turner.