A science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) focused public school is making its way to Southern Arizona.
Amphitheater Public Schools District is addingInnovation Academy, a K-5 elementary school that will offer everything a regular elementary school does, but STEM will be a consistent theme in all lessons.
"Educations and STEM is where everything is going for the future, many of the future jobs, and what we have identified is this is what children need," said Dr. Roseanne Lopez, the district's Chief Academic Officer for Elementary Education K-5.
The district says STEM curriculum is in all of its other schools, but what makes this school different is the STEM focus and the school is being constructed to include facilities that can incorporate STEM lessons.
A new @AmphiSchools STEM focused elementary school is being built in Oro Valley @kgun9 pic.twitter.com/978dt6fI8K
— Priscilla KGUN9 (@PriscillaCasper) November 15, 2016
Dr. Roseanne Lopez says what you get from a STEM-focused school is, "a lot of project-based kind of learning, a lot of hands-on learning, a lot of collaboration and working in small groups, and working independently sometimes in projects."
Students will also get classes in fine arts and physical education incorporating the STEM focus.
"It's a great way for students, like I said have that relevance of why am I learning this because there are so many times kids ask me why I need to know this and now they are going to have the why as well as the how," said Michael McConnell, the Principal at Innovation Academy.
The district says the school has open enrollment until January 27th and will accept 500 students.
The school is located at 825 W. Desert Fairway Drive in Oro Valley.
The first day of school is August 10th.
For an application to enroll your child, fill out theform.
For an application to apply as a teacher, fill out theform.
