Our STEAM/AI Journey

2015

  • A group of staff attends Cobb STEM Innovation Academy and begins to implement STEM principles within their classrooms.
  • Dowell Garden Club is established 
  • Science Fair
  • Clicks Photography Club meets during ASP

2016

  • Teachers attend the GA STEM forum in Athens, GA as well as GSTA conference.
  • A group of teachers attend GaETC to learn about more technology implementation
  • Garden Club continues to flourish with the expansion of the school garden and additional grades added to the club
  • Staff member presents information on STEM, Coding, and Space at NSTA regional in Denver, CO
  • Staff member attends NSTA in Los Angeles
  • More teachers begin to implement STEM challenges in classroom
  • Dowell has quaterly STEM days
  • Clicks Photography Club meets during ASP
  • Family Science Night
  • Science Fair

2017

  • Garden Club continues to blossom and the garden expands
  • Staff members attend and present at GA STEM forum on integrating STEM into Literacy
  • Quarterly STEM days
  • STEM and Coding Buddies is established
  • IMPACT Grant, GSTA grant, and EMC grants are awarded for STEM and Coding Buddies and STEM/Literacy Integration
  • Garden club is awarded a grant
  • Teachers continue to try STEM in their classroom
  • Staff attend GaETC conference on technology integration
  • Advanced Content Classes are started in ELA and Math for 4th and 5th Grades
  • Family Science Night
  • Summer STEM Camp
  • Maker Space Redo
  • Science Fair

2018

  • Staff presents at SEEC on Integration STEM, Coding, and Literacy
  • Cobb IMPACT grant awarded for STEM and Coding Buddies
  • Quarterly STEM Days with parent volunteers
  • Staff are sent to Arts Innovation Academy to learn about art integration
  1. Garden Club continues to grow and expand garden
  • STEM Saturdays
  • Students compete in County Math Competitions
  • Students win at District Science Fair
  • Science Fair increases by 50% participation
  • Staff attend GaETC for Technology Integration
  • Small number of staff integrate STEM into their classroom
  • Students participate in BAPA performing arts activities

2019

  • STEM/STEAM committee formed to discuss certification, mission, and objectives.
  • Staff members present professional development on STEAM practices
  • Groups of Staff are sent to Arts Innovation Academy and STEM/STEAM Innovation Academy
  • Group of Staff attends Space PBL Academy
  • Group of staff attends GA STEAM Forum
  • Staff attends GaETC conference 
  • Science Olympiad Team Formed
  • Quarterly STEAM showcases for community
  • All classrooms begin STEM/STEAM implementation
  • Community Partners are established 
  • Professional development is aimed at STEM and STEAM for staff
  • Student created and choreographed Holiday Program
  • Students participate in BAPA performing arts activities

2020

  • Students compete in Title 1 Science Olympiad
  • Family Science Night
  • GSTA mini grant awarded for Plant to Plate PBL project
  • Science Fair participation increases with younger grades represented
  • First STEM/STEAM certification walk takes place for feedback
  • Abrakadoodle Art begins in afterschool programming
  • Girls STEM/STEAM club started
  • Multi-Cultural Night transitions to more of an arts focus with student Wax Museums and Performances
  • First STEAM certification walk

Our STEAM Journey Progess

2020-2021

With the impact of Covid-19, we continued at home STEAM projects and individual STEAM projects within the school building once in-person schooling resumed.

2022

  • In February of 2022, Dowell Elementary received Cobb County District STEAM certification. 
  • Teachers in K-2 began attending Arts for All Arts Integration training at the Cobb District Level
  • Dowell was awarded a federal grant from Arts Now.  Teachers in grades 3-5 began receiving intensive arts integration strategies and training in all of the 4 major areas of art.
  • Dowell begins seeking Arts Integration Certification

2023

  • Dowell begins hosting public STEAM showcases
  • Sewing Club is added
  • Fun Clubs begin with the addition of an Arts Club and BAPA 
  • Teachers continue more intensive Arts Integration training as well as begin focusing on long term Arts Integration planning
  • K-2 Teachers Participate in Arts for All training
  • 3-5 Teachers continue Arts Now Professional Learning
  • Dowell hosts local professional development in Arts Integration Planning with STEAM specialist and Art Specialist
  • Teachers work with Jessica Espinoza to use Jamboards to sketch out AI plans
  • AI is included in Title 1 plan with a focus on writing and AI

2024

  • Spring Arts Showcase with family Scavenger Hunt
  • STEAM Committee meets to focus on Arts Planning
  • K-2 Arts for All and 3-5 Arts Now Professional Learning continues
  • AI District Walk