E-STEM Program

Inspiring a Life-Long Love of STEM Learning

Clear Creek ISD is dedicated to preparing and inspiring generations of life-long learners to meet the challenges of a global society through critical thinking in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The District believes the definition of a STEM education is an interdisciplinary approach to learning that removes the traditional barriers separating the four disciplines of science, technology, engineering, and math and integrates them into real-world, rigorous, and relevant learning experiences for students. (Vasquez, Sneider, and Comer, 2013)

In the E-STEM Magnet Program at Ed White and Walter Hall elementary schools, all students participate in a highly enriched curriculum that focuses on the integration of science, technology, engineering, and math starting in kindergarten through fifth grade.

Not just for the Gifted and Talented, students are provided with early opportunities to explore and develop their interests and solve real-world problems. They are challenged to be innovative, self-directed and to learn from their mistakes. The E-STEM magnet schools have an increased focus on engineering through basic design applications and technology that is infused throughout the entire curriculum. Through the development of self-efficacy, students are taught that mistakes lead to learning and the ability to redesign.

In addition to the zoned students, extra spaces are available for incoming kindergarten students who are within the District boundaries but outside both campuses’ attendance zones. These spaces are chosen through a lottery system and informational sessions begin as early as April annually. Interested families must fill out an application to be included in the lottery. For students in first through fifth grade, transfer requests are considered as space allows. See Student Transfers and CCISD Policy FDA/FDB (LOCAL) for more information.

2024-2025 E-STEM Application

Applications for the program are now open for next school year. In addition to completing the application, attending a parent meeting is encouraged. Application deadline is April 26, 2024, at 3:30 p.m.

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E-STEM Magnet Curriculum

All E-STEM students receive the Clear Creek ISD curriculum following state guidelines (TEKS: Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills). Unique to the E-STEM Magnet program, STEM learning practices are infused into all subjects including language arts, physical education, art, and music to encourage students to think critically and solve real-world problems. The curriculum is designed to provide students with high-interest connections in science and engineering.

In addition to following state guidelines, the students will engage in teacher-guided, student-led exploratory activities. These activities provide curriculum extensions, opportunities for open-ended problem solving, and real-world connections. As the program expands, there is a focus to integrate writing, math, and reading into the engineering block.

E-STEM Block, The Engineering Lab
Extra Enrichment Opportunities

E-STEM Block, The Engineering Lab

The E-STEM Block is unique to the curriculum at Ed White and Walter Hall elementary schools. Once every nine weeks, each grade level comes to the engineering lab for a two to five-day unit. Students are presented a topic or prompt and study it in-depth during the block. They design a solution to the prompt using the following engineering design process:

Ask:

Imagine:

Plan:

Create:

Improve:

Communication:

In kindergarten, this engineering process takes about one to two days at the start of the school year and advances to three to four days as the year progresses. By fourth grade, the engineering process has evolved to a week-long lab. Each component of the process is expanded upon: Ask, Imagine, and Plan stages are conducted on Monday and Tuesday; Create and Improve activities are completed on Wednesday and Thursday; by Friday students are presenting to their class using PowerPoint presentations.

Extra Enrichment Opportunities

Students are taught using best practices and scientific inquiry. In addition to the regular CCISD curriculum, E-STEM students will experience the following:

Outside field trips that deepen the understanding of scientific concepts, as well as experience guest speakers who are experts in their fields relaying topics presented in the engineering lab.
Participation in the E-STEM Block engineering lab, as well as science labs.
Use of technology and applications appropriate for the science/math curriculum including learning how to make a PowerPoint presentation, taking pictures and videos, and sharing as appropriate.
Availability to participate in the VEX Robotics club and other related clubs after school.
Learn how to conduct research to answer scientific questions and real-world problem-solving in the community.
Develop important "soft skills" including critical thinking, real-world problem solving, and a growth mindset.
Access to amazing Makerspace experiences in the libraries that offer a creative place to explore hands-on activities like Raspberry Pi, Lego Robotics, and 3-D printing.

Program Considerations

The E-STEM Magnet program is an enriched learning environment that extends beyond the classroom. For those not zoned to the magnet campuses and considering applying, the program is best suited for families that support the integration of science, technology, engineering, and math into the school curriculum. In addition, families should enjoy participating in their student’s educational journey and support the exploration of STEM activities at home.

Not just for the Gifted and Talented, a strong student candidate enjoys exploring real-world problems and creating unique solutions, has an interest in science, and likes to communicate and collaborate with others through written and verbal expression.

CCISD believes this combination of family and student interest maximizes the student’s ability and continued commitment to STEM-focused learning. Students enrolled in the E-STEM Magnet School are expected to remain in the program through the elementary grades.

Enrollment in the E-STEM Magnet School does not guarantee placement in the Science Magnet Program at Brookside and Seabrook intermediate schools.

For families of students accepted into the program in kindergarten via the lottery, any younger siblings will automatically be accepted into the program upon entering kindergarten. Parents must notify the school and fill out a transfer request. This policy is only for E-STEM students entering the kindergarten lottery, not for later grade transfers.

The Application Process for Non-Zoned, Incoming Kindergarten Families

The E-STEM Magnet Program is offered at two CCISD elementary school campuses - Ed White and Walter Hall. The program accepts kindergarten students who live outside these campuses' attendance zones through a lottery system each school year. The application process opens in April and the application deadline is mid-May. The lottery selection for each school is conducted the week after applications close.

Students are allowed to apply for both the Ed White and Hall lotteries. If accepted to both, the family may decide which campus to attend.

If your child is accepted in the E-STEM Magnet Program you will need to complete an intra-district transfer request.

All necessary registration procedures must be followed to enroll the student in kindergarten upon acceptance to the program. If a family fails to complete the enrollment process by the due date, their spot within the program will be forfeited.

Transfer Applications for Incoming First-Fifth Grade Families

Sometimes students join the District in first grade missing the incoming kindergarten application season or a student's interest is piqued after hearing about the program from friends.

Due to these scenarios, the District allows incoming first through fifth-grade students to apply for a transfer into one of the programs through a first-come, first-served transfer request as space allows. The transfer application process opens at the start of March annually.

Transportation

Clear Creek ISD does not provide transportation for students not zoned to the E-STEM Magnet campuses. Non-zoned families are responsible for drop-off and pick-up of their students at the applicable times via the car rider line.

Transportation is provided for the zoned families living within the Ed White and Walter Hall boundaries. For more information about transportation services see Bus Transportation.

School starts at 7:55 a.m. Students riding the bus are released at 3:15 p.m. Car rider students are released at 3:20 p.m.

Continued Assessment for the Program: E-STEM students are assessed using the same assessment measures as all CCISD students. This includes the Benchmark Assessment System (BAS), Developmental Reading Assessment and Observation Survey (DRA), standardized tests (STAAR), Curriculum-Based Assessments (CBA), curriculum benchmarks, and other formative assessments.

Please note that, in accordance with CCISD policy, a student transfer may be revoked whenever the principal establishes that a student has been truant, fails to maintain satisfactory conduct, fails to maintain passing grades and/or fails to be punctual.

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