Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)

In 2016, Woodland became the 16th elementary school in the state of Georgia to become Science, Math, Engineering, and Math (STEM) certified. To have obtained and continue to maintain this high honor, Woodland offers a unique approach to curriculum through STEM subject integration while also incorporating the arts. We provide students with multiple opportunities to learn in various hands-on settings, including a Data Investigation Lab, Prototyping Lab, Aquaponics Lab, Technology/Robotics Lab, and various gardens located on the campus. Field experts are invited to share their knowledge with students throughout all the phases of the Design Thinking Process (DTP). Students use this knowledge to solve problems in a real-world context. We believe that it is our mission to help students become patient, proficient problem solvers equipped with the 21st century skills needed to be successful in later years.For standards-based math instruction, teachers identify specific learning goals and teach the mathematical concept, as opposed to a series of steps. A natural progression of mathematics learning flows from concrete to representational to abstract. By incorporating hands-on learning, students gain access to deep conceptual understanding that leads to knowing the how and the why of abstract algorithms. The focus in elementary grades is to lay a strong foundation by slowing down the learning process so that students may work efficiently in more complex mathematics courses. In addition, the process of learning mathematics in a slow progression promotes critical thinking and flexible problem-solving.