NB Highlights January 2017 | Page 15

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The new STEPS (Students, Thinking, Exploring, Practicing, Success) program at the elementary is really taking off! This is a new program designed for students who need to be challenged more throughout the school year. Last year a committee of educators started brainstorming on how to best meet the needs of these students. Fast forward 6 months, and we have our first official STEPS group! The program began with the 2nd marking period. Students meet every Friday morning at 7:15 in the elementary. This marking period's group consists of sixteen very motivated and self-driven 3rd and 4th grade students. The students chose to research, create, and test roller coasters for this term. We spent the first few Fridays researching and collecting data on the components that make great roller coasters. We have finally moved onto the building phase of the project and the kids are so excited. The creativity and perseverance coming from these students is truly amazing to watch! We should be wrapping up our project toward the end of January so that the 3rd marking period project/group can begin. We look forward to sharing more results as the student near the completion of their coasters.

New program to challenge NBE students: S.T.E.P.S