What are STE(A)M Schools?

STE(A)M Schools can vary as much as the communities and students they serve. They can be at the beginning of their STE(A)M Transformation, middle, re-launch, or decades into STE(A)M implementation. At the core of STE(A)M School education are students, assets, lived experiences, and the integration of content areas to create relevant learning.

STE(A)M stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. Schools can approach this in many ways; through integration of each of the STE(A)M subjects, through transdisciplinary instruction of ELA, Social Studies, SEL, and all STE(A)M areas. What is most important is starting the STE(A)M journey and building off the assets and lived experiences of the communities your school is privileged to serve.

In the fall of 2012, Portland Metro STEM Partnership began working with seven schools that wanted to become STE(A)M Transformation Schools. Since then a number of additional schools in our region and state-wide have started their STE(A)M Transformation. These schools have become rich STE(A)M learning environments that foster student STE(A)M identity by helping students apply their learning, becoming avid problem solvers, designers, and investigators.

In 2019, we engaged schools, partners, and other STEM Hubs to co-develop a research-based STEM School Certification and Designation Process. This process was piloted in 2022-23 and revised based on feedback from the 11 schools involved. Watch for a the Oregon STE(A)M School Transformation Rubric to be published here in September of 2024.

We provide a comprehensive system of support for all schools, from the curious to the committed!

To learn more about STE(A)M schools, check out this Definition of a STE(A)M School developed by our STE(A)M educators and our video on the Benefits of STE(A)M in Elementary School.

Quatama Elementary School

2023-2024 Partner Schools

  • Barnes Elementary School (Beaverton)

  • Glencoe Elementary School (Portland)

  • Imlay Elementary School (Hillsboro)

  • Kinnaman Elementary School (Beaverton)

  • Quatama Elementary School (Hillsboro)

  • Sacagewea Elementary School (Portland)

2019-2023 Partner Schools

  • Gervais Elementary (Gervais)

  • Scotts Mills Elementary (Silver Falls)

  • Troutdale Elementary (Reynolds)

  • Warrenton Middle School (Warrenton)

  • Taft Middle School (Lincoln County)

  • Sutherlin West Intermediate (Sutherlin)

  • Davis Elementary (Reynolds)

  • Creston Elementary (Portland)

  • Buckingham Elementary (Bend-La Pine)

  • Farmington View Elementary (Hillsboro)

  • Sisters Elementary (Sisters)

  • Aloha-Huber Park K-8 (Beaverton)

  • Meadow Park Middle School (Beaverton)

  • Hazeldale Elementary (Beaverton

2012-2019 Partner Schools

  • Boise-Elliot Humboldt ES (Portland)

  • Faubion K-8 (Portland)

  • Vernon ES (Portland)

  • Formerly Harrison Park K-8, currently MS (Portland)

  • Chehalem ES (Beaverton)

  • Highland Park MS (Beaverton)

  • Vose ES (Beaverton)

  • Quatama ES (Hillsboro)

  • Imlay ES (Hillsboro)

  • Farmington View ES (Hillsboro)

  • McKinney ES (Hillsboro)

  • Groner K-8 (Hillsboro)

  • Tobias ES (Hillsboro)