What STEM means at Washington Vaele Elementary School
At Washington Veale Elementary, students in grades K–4 are building the foundation for lifelong success through engaging future-readiness experiences that connect learning to real-world possibilities. Through the Kids at Hope Destinations framework, students explore key areas of their future, including education and careers, community and service, home and family, and hobbies and recreation. This approach helps students begin imagining the lives they want to build and understand how learning today connects to success tomorrow.
Future-focused learning comes to life through schoolwide STEM Days and districtwide special events alongside Washington Primary and Washington Intermediate. During these immersive experiences, students participate in hands-on STEM challenges, explore real-world careers, and connect with community professionals. These collaborative events strengthen the district’s K–12 STEM pipeline while empowering students to dream big, build confidence, and develop a future-focused mindset from an early age.
What makes our STEM program stand out
STEM Implementation K-12-to-Career
STEM is a pillar to the WD approach to education and preparing students as functioning members of the community by being exposed to the increasingly technology driven world. Between the three STEM labs, every student is exposed to the career opportunities available with STEM.
STEM Promotion
STEM Day and other events throughout the year expose students on what is to come as
their educational journey in the building continues. Elementary students are exposed to
opportunities at the high school, and high school students are exposed to industry
employers looking for talent or mentorship opportunities.
Diversified Options for all Secondary Ed Students, College and Workforce Bound
WD hosts several different NLPS pathways that allow students to explore their interests in
engineering, digital media, cybersecurity, information technology, business operations, and more. There is not another school of this size offering such a vast array of career exploration
opportunities.
Inspiring Futures
At Washington Veale Elementary, students in grades K–4 are building the foundation for lifelong success through engaging future-readiness experiences that connect learning to real-world possibilities. Through the Kids at Hope Destinations framework, students explore key areas of their future, including education and careers, community and service, home and family, and hobbies and recreation. This helps students begin imagining the lives they want to build and understand how learning today connects to success tomorrow.
Future-focused learning comes to life through schoolwide STEM Days and districtwide special events alongside Washington Primary and Washington Intermediate. During these immersive experiences, students participate in hands-on STEM challenges, explore real-world careers, and connect with community professionals. These collaborative events strengthen the district’s K–12 STEM pipeline while empowering students to dream big, build confidence, and develop a future-focused mindset from an early age.
Hands-On STEM
Washington Veale Elementary provides students in grades K–4 with engaging, hands-on STEM learning through a dedicated STEM special and lab experience. Using age-appropriate Project Lead The Way (PLTW) modules, students explore engineering, technology, and design thinking through interactive challenges that encourage creativity, collaboration, and problem solving.
A key component of the program is early exposure to microelectronics, allowing students to discover how circuits, electronics, and technology power the world around them. Through guided exploration and hands-on tools, students build foundational skills in computational thinking and engineering design. By introducing advanced STEM concepts in an accessible, engaging way, Washington Veale Elementary is preparing students to confidently grow into the district’s broader K–12 STEM pathway.
Building Tomorrow’s Innovators
Washington Veale Elementary brings robotics to life for students in grades K–4 through a dynamic, hands-on robotics pathway that grows with each learner. Second and third graders begin their journey with LEGO Explore, where they build, code, and problem-solve through playful, team-based challenges that introduce the foundations of engineering and computational thinking. In fourth grade, students advance to the FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Challenge, tackling real-world problems through robot design, programming, and innovative research.
The program culminates in a district-wide Robotics Showcase each May, where students proudly demonstrate their robots, coding skills, and engineering solutions for families, educators, and community partners. Students can also extend their learning through the school’s STEM Club, which offers even more opportunities for hands-on building, experimentation, and collaboration. Together, these experiences build confidence, creativity, teamwork, and a passion for innovation — preparing Washington Veale students to thrive in the district’s full K–12 robotics pathway.
Our Current STEM Focus
Our mission is to help schools define, grow, and share powerful STEM programs that align with local needs while meeting global standards. Indiana STEM exists to remove the roadblocks to certification and provide schools with a strategic partner committed to lasting, student-centered growth.
Washington Veale Elementary
Washington Veale Elementary School is part of the Washington Community Schools district in Washington, Indiana. The school serves approximately 81 students in grades K through 4, offering a close-knit and supportive learning community. Washington Veale Elementary is committed to fostering academic growth, personal responsibility, and a strong sense of belonging for every student.
