Orinda Union School District is committed to equipping students with the necessary skills to become future citizens and scientists. To realize this vision for every student, it is imperative that they actively work towards mastering the field of science by engaging in repeated, meaningful, and successful learning experiences. 

 

 

STEAM in Orinda schools is dedicated to providing students with opportunities to problem-solve and think critically.  Using content knowledge and real-world problems, students engage in short- and long-range projects to apply knowledge.  The OUSD STEAM curriculum weaves in elements from the Buck Institute Project-Based Learning ("PBL") model,  the Stanford d.school Design Thinking model, as well as teaching coding and robotics skills.

 

Each elementary site has its own dedicated classroom space that is designed to support the STEAM work at the sites.  These STEAM Labs are equipped with all the tools and facilities needed for students to design and build models to demonstrate their problem-solving ideas.  Each STEAM Lab has a dedicated facilitator and 21st-century learning tools, including 3D printers, hand tools, flexible furniture, and storage space.

 

 

Orinda schools offer innovative events, including STEAM Expos, MakerFaires, and science nights.

By shifting student learning from a teacher-directed model to a student-discovery and creation model, we are developing and fostering the future of the professional world.