Coppell ISD is launching a new program that will continue its trajectory as a District of Innovation by offering a STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) curriculum —  including coding, robotics and the engineering design process — at all of its elementary schools. This instructional design will promote higher-level thinking and creativity for Kindergarten to 5th grade students in CISD starting in the 2023-2024 school year. 

“This initiative cohesively aligns with the current STEAM pathways in CISD middle and high schools,” CISD Superintendent Dr. Brad Hunt said. “It will allow CISD to continue its innovative approach to learning and focus even more on hands-on applications, design thinking and career exploration from an early age.”

CISD will hire a full-time STEAM educator for each of its 11 elementary schools for the 2023-2024 school year. As a means to develop creativity, problem solving and critical thinking, the STEAM program will be provided to students at all elementary schools as part of the weekly “specials” class rotation, in addition to music, art and physical education.  

“CISD is known throughout the nation for our science, math, technology and fine arts rigor, and adding this STEAM program to the elementary curriculum elevates even more the educational opportunities for our learners,” Dr. Hunt said. “Throughout our recent visioning and bond planning work, our stakeholders have been vocal about expanding opportunities for hands-on engineering, robotics, science and coding in CISD. This initiative helps us meet the wants of our community and allows us to better prepare students for the pathways available to them in CISD and in their future.”

The addition of STEAM at the elementary level will expand and enhance the current instructional offerings for CISD elementary learners, such as the International Baccalaureate (IB) program, Project/Problem Based Learning, Challenge Based Learning and Dual Language Immersion. 

“We are committed to providing STEAM opportunities for students at all levels,” Dr. Hunt said. “By providing a STEAM curriculum at all elementary schools, we are creating a foundation that can extend to middle school, high school and beyond, which will better prepare our students for the workforce of the future.”