and career planning .
“ The board has made it a top priority that we make being college and career ready a reality for our students ,” Parulan-Colfer said . The district ’ s success , she said , shows in the improving graduation rates . In 2010 , the rate was 77.8 percent compared 90.1 percent in 2014 .
Having identified these critical areas , in 2014-15 , one of the Seven District Goals for Instruction was created calling for a focus on science , technology , engineering and math , through integration in all math and science instruction , to prepare students for college and career success in STEM fields .
Building STEM partnerships
Funded by a grant from Alcoa in 2013- 14 , the district created a Makerspace classroom at Sierra Vista Middle School , under the creative hands and leadership of science teacher Robert Yamasaki .
A Makerspace is a classroom environment that allows students to achieve through making things and learning through handson design . The objective of the grant is to spark interest in younger students in science and math to open career and college opportunities as the next generation of scientists and engineers .
“ It was wonderful for the foundation to help us with our Makerspace program ,” said Parulan-Colfer in a recent San Gabriel Valley Tribune article . “ We hope the students will continue their studies in the science and technology program at Workman High or the engineering program at La Puente High .” Wilson High School also provides learning opportunities through Project Lead the Way in the areas of engineering , computer programming and biomedical classes .
Opportunities for partnership to support STEM were also found with the U . S . Navy Office of Naval Research SeaPerch program . SeaPerch is an innovative underwater robotics program that equips teachers and students with the resources they need to build an underwater , remotely operated vehicle ( ROV ).
The SeaPerch Program provides students with the opportunity to learn about robotics , engineering , science , and mathematics , while building an underwater ROV as part
“ The things happening at the district are part of a plan to maximize the talents , interests and abilities of all our students , enabling them to meet the challenges and opportunities of a changing world .” – Cynthia Parulan-Colfer , superintendent of Hacienda La Puente Unified School District
of a science and engineering technology curriculum . Students learn engineering concepts , problem solving and teamwork .
The HLPUSD Valinda School of Academics and Newton Middle School are participants in the SeaPerch program . “ The SeaPerch partnership helps create student interest in a STEM career ,” said Angela Lin , executive director of elementary education . “ Students were able to test robots of their own design in the high school pool .”
The California Mathematics and Science Partnership ( CaMSP ) program is funded by a statewide competitive grant program administered by the Professional Learning Support Division ’ s Science , Technology , Engineering and Mathematics Office of the California Department of Education . In 2014 , the Math and Technology CaMSP Program recruited 50 HLPUSD third through fifth grade teachers for participation in its professional development program .
The first of three summer institutes began in 2014 , where professional development focused on expanding the mathematics content knowledge of teachers , aligning mathematics curricula and practice to the California Common Core Standards , integrating technology into teacher lessons , and identifying technology resources that can be used by students to enhance their learning . Now in its third and final year of the project , Laurie Riggs , professor from California State Polytechnic University , Pomona Mathematics and Statistics Department , continues to guide participants by teaching the integration of science concepts within applied math instruction .
Carrie Peck , project director for the HL- PUSD Math and Technology CaMSP Project observed that she has seen the increased confidence , especially in seasoned teachers , many of whom have been teaching math and science to elementary school kids for 15 or more years .
Technology supporting STEM
Technological investments and improvements include the installation of a second computer lab at every school to improve
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