More Robbinsdale Teachers Will Learn About STEM

More elementary school teachers will attend Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) training this year.

Third- through fifth-grade teachers at in Golden Valley previously spent 30 hours learning about the "Nature of Science and Engineering," according to a news release from Tia Clasen, communications director. Now they will be joined by instructors at Neill Elementary in Crystal, Northport in Brooklyn Center, the Spanish Immersion Program in New Hope and Zachary Lane in Plymouth.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for our teachers, and even more fantastic for our students,” stated Gayle Walkowiak, executive director of teaching and learning for the district. “This means that all third- through fifth-grade teachers at over half of our elementary schools will have had training and time to collaborate with their colleagues in the development of in-depth, research-based content. The students in our district will reap the benefits.”

Robbinsdale elementary students are struggling in science, .

About 76 percent of Noble students did not meet the test standards. Students at the district's other elementary schools ranged from about 46 percent not proficient at Zachary Lane to almost 91 percent not proficient at Northport.

, elementary student proficiency ranged from 53 percent at Northport to almost 89 percent at the Spanish Immersion program. Tougher standards were used this year for third to fifth grades, which negatively affected the scores, according to some education leaders.

 "STEM education has been lauded nationally as being critical to preparing our students for the challenges of the 21st century, including creation of and participation in jobs that haven’t even yet been conceived—jobs that require both critical thinking and technological savvy," according to the district's news release. "This in turn strengthens economic development and allows Americans to better compete globally."