STEAM/HPE

STEAM: is a Department, (a group of content areas, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics, plus Health and Physical Education) and a program (specific courses, programs and a philosophy of instruction). STEAM as a program can express itself via electives (e.g. Engineer, Construct, Design 6-8), school wide initiatives (e.g. Boise Elliot Humboldt Elementary), and content embedded experiences (e.g. MakerSpace). The vision for the STEAM Program in PPS is: Integrative STEAM emphasizes a transformative approach to instruction that provides hands-on, experiential, and cross-curricular teaching and learning opportunities for all students. Tsupros defines STEAM as an instructional settings where rigorous academic concepts are coupled with real-world lessons as students apply science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in contexts that make connections between school, community, work, and the global enterprise enabling the development of STEM literacy and with it the ability to compete in the new economy. (Tsupros, 2009)

Mission: To support all levels of the Portland Public Schools system to facilitate instruction that features dynamic problem-solving and integrated, personalized, and contextualized learning experiences.

Vision: In order to develop emotionally and physically healthy, fully-engaged 21st-century citizens, Portland Public Schools believes every student should participate in instruction that features dynamic problem-solving and integrated, personalized, and contextualized learning experiences. These transformative school and community-based experiences will be a catalyst critical for closing the racial, gender, linguistic, and economic opportunity gaps.