STEM

330 Mount Laurel Road
Mount Laurel, NJ 08054
Phone: 856.235.3387

Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)

Mount Laurel’s Science,Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Program began in September of 2010 with a sixth-grade Robotics component and the middle school STEAM Programs, which incorporates the Arts into Science, Engineering, Technology and Math. In 2013, we maximized learning by replacing a study hall period in all Harrington Middle School students’ schedules with a full-year elective course of STEM study.

The 2014-2015 school year marked the introduction of Computer Coding to our middle-school curriculum. When students learn to code, there is no limit to what they can create in the virtual world. It allows them to move from consumer to innovator in the field of technology.

Additionally, through the generous support of the Mount Laurel Public Education Fund, Inc. and our seven Parent-Teacher Organizations, a number of after-school clubs support our commitment to STEM Education. Extra-Curricular Activities Based on STEM at Harrington include our Math Matters Club,
Underwater Robotics - Levels I and II, the Eco-Wild Club, and our Annual Math League Competition.

Our Underwater Robotics Curriculum has led to numerous team awards at regional, state, national and international levels over the past several years. Our Sea Perch and MATE Teams compete annually against college-level underwater robot pilots and engineers, and have earned first-place titles in many categories for several years running.

Hartford's STEM Programs

Inventions - Grade 5
Answers the question “Why Invent?” Uses critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students use design process to define a problem and propose a solution. They work in teams to create the solution.

Robotics - Grade 6
Students explore the design process via multimedia presentation with interactive group activities. They then relate the design process to Robotics utilizing the Lego Mindstorm robotics sets. Their goal is to build a robot and program it to accomplish a given task.

Harrington's STEM Electives

Challenge-Based Learning
Students select the topic! Anything from global warming to local relief efforts. They work with partners or independently to research the topics and seek solutions, reach out to experts in the field, gather information from a variety of sources, and share findings using a variety of presentation mediums.

Inventive & Creative Thinking
Stimulates interest in math, science, and engineering and connects the process of invention to everyday life and a broad range of careers and social issues. The invention challenges emphasize teamwork, creative problem solving, and how invention improves people’s lives.

I-Publish
Students create original written works published in various ways including newspapers, magazines and books. Using technology, they research material for original articles and stories and learn how to make contact with magazine and newspaper editors and publishing companies to interview and ask questions about the publication process.

Crime Scene Investigation
In this course, students reconstruct the scene of a fictitious crime and draw conclusions from evidence to help solve the case. They gather and analyze data, and learn how forensic science has impacted the outcome of criminal justice. Curriculum includes the trends, vocabulary, techniques and steps involved in careers involving both forensic science and criminal justice.

Harrington's Cycle Courses

Grade 7 Cycle Courses

STEM
Underwater exploration is the focus of this course. Students study the types of engineers and the reasons for underwater exploration. In teams, they build fully-functional ROVs in the classroom. Our SeaPerch project includes both electrical engineering and mechanical engineering. Students learn to wire and solder circuit boards, and wire motors to the vehicles. ROV;s are tested in the pool and programmed to perform specific objectives.

Financial Literacy
Students learn the different types of financial products/services offered by different financial institutions, as well as debt/credit management strategies. They research beneficial debt leverage strategies and the purpose of a credit score/record.

Grade 8 Cycle Courses

STEAM

The element of the Arts is added to this STEM course. Students identify and research an environmental problem and create a documentary video that proposes solutions. They share their videos with students in other local/global communities in order to collaborate on an effective solution. Emphasis is on the use of digital tools and media-rich resources to solve local and global problems.

Computer Coding

Students engage in online lessons, develop code and complete activities using HTML/CCS and Python programming languages. They design a product that solves a problem or presents information electronically using the appropriate technology tools.