STEAM
WHY STEAM?
STEAM Education is a learning approach that uses Science (S), Technology (T), Engineering (E), the Arts (A), and Mathematics (M) to guide and teach students to think critically, problem solve and use creativity. The skills developed prepare students to study (and potentially work) in related fields and beyond.
DESTINATION IMAGINATION
HIGH SCHOOL, middle school and elementary
Destination Imagination (DI) is a global educational nonprofit dedicated to inspiring the next generation of innovators, leaders, and creative problem solvers. Through collaborative team-based problem solving, it teaches life skills and expanding imaginations through its emphasis in creativity, teamwork, critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills. Teams of up to 7 members work together to tackle one of seven Team Challenges (Technical, Engineering, Scientific, Fine Arts, Improvisation, Service Learning, and Rising Stars.)
All Team Challenges require students to engage in a range of activities including researching scientific principles (e.g., kinetic energy, animal physiology, properties of light), understanding and applying aspects of mechanical engineering (e.g., set design, material strength, methods of construction) and financial planning (e.g., by staying within a budget.). In addition, teams learn to "think on their feet" by solving Instant Challenges that they haven't prepared for in advance by doing it in real-time. Most Instant Challenges are engineering-based tasks.
Season: January - July
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Ginger Leihmohn
ROBOTICS
HIGH SCHOOL
The SHS FIRST Robotics Competition team provides students with real-world experience in STEM, business and outreach, and management of our student-run team of over 30 people. Students are tasked with building a robot from scratch in just 6 short weeks to compete with other teams in an exciting and unique competition each year. Students have the opportunity to work on various aspects of the engineering design process, including mechanical, electrical, programming, CAD (computer aided design), and our business & outreach team. In FIRST, however, it's about more than robots. Students also participate in various outreach activities to promote STEM in the community and spread the ideas of FIRST, including Gracious Professionalism and Co-opertition. Beyond just the experience in STEM, students will gain access to a wealth of opportunities and college scholarships available to FIRST alumni at colleges around the country.
January - April
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Carter Harris
middle SCHOOL
Robotics Club – participates in the First FTC Robotics competitions / run by First In Michigan for the State of Michigan
September - May
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Jeroen Spitael
SCIENCE OLYMPIAD
HIGH SCHOOL
A competitive team emphasizing Science and Engineering. Science Olympiad has 23 events ranging from the earth sciences, life sciences, physical sciences as well as construction and design. Each event has a tandem compete, except three events which have three students adding up to 49 slots per team. Those 49 slots are divided among a maximum of 15 students per team. Schools can have multiple teams. The high school team has a varsity competition team and two experience teams. Varsity requires high commitment and achievement. It is selected through a lengthy tryout process. The two Experience teams are designed for students to be engaged but also allow for more schedule flexibility for those in many activities/sports.
Each team score at a tournament involves adding the placement scores of each event together for an overall team score. So first place gets 1 point, 50th place gets 50 points. THe lowest scoring team wins. After the invitational season, the regional championship is elimination. Two high school teams advance to states. Two teams from states advance to Nationals.
Saline is currently estimated to be in the top 30 nationally. MIchigan is one of the most competitive states in the country and our two state representing teams typically end up top 10 at nationals. Saline was fifth in Michigan in 2019 just missing top two by two event scores. However, Saline defeated several state champions in invitationals last year and before.
August - May
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Nath Akella
middle SCHOOL
Our middle school Science Olympiad team is dedicated to teaching and exploring science and engineering subjects and materials that are not generally taught in the classroom.
Season: September - March + practices during summer
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Lisa Spencer
heritage (2nd-5th)
Open to all 2nd-5th graders, even though the program is titled "Heritage." The Saline Heritage Science Olympiad is our representative team in the Washtenaw Elementary Science Olympiad (WESO) and is open to all Saline elementary students in grades 2-5. The Science Olympiad and WESO are devoted to improving the quality of science education, increasing student interest in science, and providing recognition for outstanding achievement in science education by both students and teachers.
December - May
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Jonathan Spencer
ADDITIONAL STEAM GROUPS
girls who code club
Girls Who Code Clubs are meant for girls to join our sisterhood of supportive peers and role models, and use Computer Science to change the world. GWC is a free extracurricular programs for 3rd-5th and 6th-12th grade girls that teach participants about Computer Science (CS) in a fun and safe supportive environment!
Season: January - June
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Karyn Bloch
heritage first Lego league (FLL)
The FIRST Lego League team introduces students to engineering and coding/programming in an inclusive, creative, and hopeful environment. Team members work collaboratively to build and program a Lego EV3 robot to compete in a yearly worldwide robotics challenge.
Season: August - December
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Christopher Myers
Math Counts
In our SMS program we focus less on the final competition and more on developing critical thinking and problem solving skills while nurturing (and developing) a passion for math. Additionally, we focus on sharing out our approaches so we can learn together and foster our skills at communicating.
Season: October - February
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Kim Reik
