STEMM Lab

Traditional STEM is a curriculum based on the idea of educating students in four specific disciplines — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — in an interdisciplinary and applied approach. However, as a Christian School, ILS adds a fifth discipline to the approach — Ministry — to create STEMM.  Rather than teach these disciplines as separate and discrete subjects, STEMM integrates them into a cohesive learning paradigm based on real-world applications.  What separates STEMM from the traditional science and math education is the blended learning environment and showing students how the scientific method can be applied to everyday life. It teaches them computational thinking and focuses on the real world applications of problem solving.

Walk into an ILS STEMM SmartLab and you’ll see students buzzing with energy and enthusiasm. It’s a learning community where the teacher is a facilitator and students take responsibility for their own learning. Autonomy is encouraged, collaboration is the norm, and problems are celebrated as a path to mastery.

We live in a world where science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) play a critical role in every job, every home, and every aspect of advanced learning. The integration of STEM disciplines is critical for all students, not just those who are naturally proficient in math and science.  Young learners discover a wide range of applied technologies. They engage in first-hand experiences in STEMM, building interest and inspiring many to pursue these fields in more depth in the years to come.

SmartLabs engage learners as they apply technology to projects they design, make academic connections and develop the skills they need for college and career success.

While every project may be different, all projects follow a similar process: 

  • Students create SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, time-based) project objectives in collaboration with their facilitator

  • Projects are designed and developed to meet the objective

  • Projects are multidisciplinary and utilize applied technologies 

  • Problem-solving is emphasized and failure celebrated as an opportunity to learn

  • Process skills such as collaboration and time-management are emphasized and assessed

  • Students document their process, learning and achievements in their ePortfolio

STEMM Lab Tour Request Form

Immanuel, a fully accredited school organization, continually reflects on how we get our students to the next level of life, not just the next grade level.  We truly believe that our body of students from Immanuel will be prepared to contribute in a way prepared for future career paths that will make a positive difference in the community where they serve.  We are a leader to prepare our students for occupations that may not even exist yet.  Through programs in our STEMM Lab, such as “Dreamweaver,” a web design program, “Frames,” a motion animator program, or “VEX,” a robotics design system, we may have that student that creates, develops, and initiates the next Apple Co., Fuel Conservation Platform, or Robotic gadget that everyone must have.

We urge you to come for a visit. School may look more like playtime than a learning environment to some.  But the SmartLab — the first of its kind in any Lutheran School and the first of its kind in the Mid-South — is actually more about learning than playing.