At STEM Innovation Academy Junior High, we empower students to explore a diverse range of skills and courses across all strands. This broad exposure helps students discover and nurture their passions and interests, guiding them toward meaningful pathways in high school and beyond. Throughout their three years, every student will engage in 12 of 15 dynamic option courses, building a strong foundation for lifelong learning and growth.
Our options are organized into 4 “strands” that share some common tools and habits of mind.
| Strand | Strand Description |
| Design and Engineering | At STEM Innovation Academy, students create innovative solutions to unique problems. In our Engineering and Design Strand students will develop the knowledge and skills necessary to apply the design process to a variety of diverse challenges. Using design and fabrication techniques, students create projects that are manufactured using equipment in our Makerspace. |
| Computational Thinking | Computational thinking refers to the thought processes involved in understanding a problem and creating digital solutions using industry-standard hardware and software. Students will learn how to create ‘smart’ design solutions. Using hands-on experience in computer programming and electronics, students build systems that take hardware components and algorithms needed to run components. |
| New Media | Innovative ideas are spread by creative, effective and engaging communication. Courses in our New Media strand will provide students with the skills to enhance their communication so that it can appeal to all the senses. Students will create and share ideas through a variety of mediums to tantalize their target audience. |
| Specializations | These courses stand outside of the regular strands as they may be prototype courses we are testing out, courses that require an expert teacher in that area, or are unique to that campus. |
We encourage students to use this opportunity in junior high to try new skills, add to their STEM toolbox, and begin to think about their interests and passions before they get to High School where there is more specialization.
STEMIA Journal 