Elementary School In Arizona Provides Technology Instruction To All Students

The Arizona Republic (5/20, Faller) reports that Navajo Elementary School is currently the only school in Arizona's "Scottsdale Unified School District that's designated as a STEM school and the district's only elementary school that teaches science every day." Navajo principal Shaun Holmes notes that "the focus on achieving good math and reading scores" is a major contributor to "the de-emphasis on science in elementary schools." But at Navajo, "all students learn technology, starting with an introduction to programming in kindergarten." Meanwhile, "older kids study software, three-dimensional animation, and robotics." The Arizona Republic notes that several Arizona school systems "are working toward getting more schools designated as STEM." And, "Congress this week is expected to vote on the America COMPETES Act, which authorizes $84 million in funding for STEM education as well as technology research and jobs."