Montague Township School District
STEM Curriculum Guide
Kindergarten
2025-2026
Kayte Snyder
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Description
Computer Science and Design Thinking at Montague School integrates STEM content across K-8 through hands-on, investigative learning that mirrors real-world problem-solving. Students apply engineering design principles, coding, and materials science to understand and address authentic challenges. The curriculum emphasizes observation, testing, data collection, and iterative design while building 21st-century skills in collaboration, creativity, and persistence. Throughout the year, students work with principles of engineering, properties of materials and design, forces and motion, renewable energy, electricity, coding, and biomimicry.
Big Ideas
- The engineering design process guides problem identification, brainstorming, prototyping, testing, and refinement.
- Failure is a productive part of learning; iteration leads to improved solutions.
- Materials, forces, energy, and structures have properties that determine their usefulness in design.
- Coding and technology are tools for controlling systems and creating solutions.
- Teamwork, communication, and persistence are essential for success in STEM fields.
Essential Questions
- How do engineers identify problems and design solutions?
- What role does testing and iteration play in improving designs?
- How do science and mathematics work together to solve real-world problems?
- What can we learn from nature to inform human design?
Algorithms and Programming
Data and Analysis
Engineering Design
Ethics and Culture
Interaction of Technology and Humans
Nature of Technology
Engineering, Technology, and Applications of Science
Earth and Space Sciences
Life Sciences
Physical Sciences
Counting and Cardinality
Digital Literacy
Geometry
Measurement
Science and Engineering Practices
Standards for Mathematical Practice
Students write and share observations in science notebooks, create digital stories about plant growth using pictures and words, and communicate engineering design ideas through drawings and descriptions.
Students count objects, create and interpret bar graphs to represent data, measure plant heights with rulers, compare quantities, and use data to analyze engineering design test results.
Students investigate environmental issues including climate change, disaster relief, and human impact on natural systems while developing solutions and communicating findings.
Assessment in STEM at Montague School uses observations, discussions, and solution-based performance tasks aligned with authentic problem-solving. Teachers observe students' ability to identify real problems, apply grade-level science and math concepts, use the engineering design process, create and test prototypes, and evaluate results. Formative assessments include do-nows, discussions, Google Docs and Slides, and benchmark tasks such as gear ratio math, electrical circuits, and Pascal's Principle. Summative assessments are embedded in project completion, prototype testing, and data analysis. Students are also assessed on 21st-century skills including teamwork, communication, creativity, and the ability to learn from failure.
| Unit | Formative | Summative | Benchmark | Alternative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01Introduction to STEM | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| 02Shapes, Structures, and Strength | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| 03Forces, Motion, and Ramps | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| 04Biomimicry and Stability | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| 05Shape and Function: Bird Beaks and Bird Feeders | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| 06Coding and Robotics | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 07Wind Energy and Sustainable Design | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| 08Sound and Vibration | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| 09Weather, Water, and Environmental Engineering | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| 10Living Things and Growth | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| 11Trep$ and Entrepreneurship | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ |
| 12Motion and Launch Engineering | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Coverage | 12/12 | 12/12 | 2/2 | 12/12 |
| Unit | IEP | 504 | MLL | At-Risk | Gifted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01Introduction to STEM | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 02Shapes, Structures, and Strength | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 03Forces, Motion, and Ramps | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 04Biomimicry and Stability | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 05Shape and Function: Bird Beaks and Bird Feeders | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 06Coding and Robotics | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 07Wind Energy and Sustainable Design | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 08Sound and Vibration | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 09Weather, Water, and Environmental Engineering | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 10Living Things and Growth | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 11Trep$ and Entrepreneurship | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 12Motion and Launch Engineering | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Coverage | 12/12 | 12/12 | 12/12 | 12/12 | 12/12 |