Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School Opening in Sight

With the opening of the Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School just weeks away, the Huntington School District is breaking new ground in its effort to provide students with the best education possible.

The new school’s initial enrollment has been capped at 150 students spread across grades 3-5. More than 300 parents applied to have their child included in the program, but district officials wanted to limit the school’s first year size to help ensure it gets off to a successful start.

The opening of the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) school will mean the district’s five other elementary grade level buildings will feature slightly smaller enrollments, giving students in those schools more individual attention by faculty and staff members and opening up additional space.

The STEM school will feature an integrated curriculum approach. “Students will learn to see all knowledge is connected, rather than artificially separated into discrete disciplines,” according to an overview presented at a community information session last spring. Authentic learning experiences will provide students with an opportunity to see clear connections between subjects and between what they are learning and the world around them.”

Superintendent James W. Polansky said the new school will, of course, focus on science, technology, engineering and math, but there will also be time devoted to a balanced literacy approach, including the development of strong reading, writing and comprehension skills, which he said “are often the gateway to success in other subjects.”

STEM school teachers will work to help students gain the “21st century skills required to succeed in today’s global and technologically-driven society,” according to the community presentation. Classroom science experiences will be inquiry-based with a problem-solving approach. Students will “do science,” utilizing ongoing questioning, observing, collecting and analyzing data and generating explanations. Topics will touch upon earth, physical and life sciences. 

Technology will be embedded into daily lessons. A range of technologies will be explored. Students will utilize computers, digital cameras, SMART boards, tablets and other hardware as well as a variety of software products.

Engineering experiences in the new school are expected to focus on “how” and “process,” including the formulation of solutions to issues in a hands-on manner and applying math, science and technology concepts in a real world setting. Examples of possible student exploration include windmills, bridge design, hand pollinators, robotics, shoreline maintenance and various community projects.

The STEM school’s math program will feature a determined focus on using and applying mathematical ideas in “meaningful ways,” according to the community presentation. Once again, there will be a connection to related academic disciplines with the goal of developing a “deep understanding” of specific math concepts in students.

Rae Montesano, the district chairperson of science and instructional technology for grades 7-12, has been tapped to serve as the Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School coach, providing instructional leadership and support for the faculty members that will staff classrooms and special areas.

Members of the district’s facilities department have been readying the building since early July. Classes have not been held in the facility since June 2010. It last served as an intermediate school, housing about 500 students in grades 4-6.

Last week facilities staff members cleaned, scrubbed and waxed the school library, cafeteria and rooms 110, 112 and 214. They earlier cleaned various classrooms and offices the new program will utilize. A network switch for IT infrastructure was also installed and configured last week. Equipment and materials were delivered to classrooms and installation of additional technology and wiring is underway.

When buses roll-up to the school’s front doors on Wednesday, September 4 for the first time in more than three years, officials say that everything will be in place for an excellent educational experience.