LCS.T.E.A.M. DESIGN PROCESS
RESOURCES
The following resources are being used to help guide our work.
JASON Argonaut Application Open
he London City School District is again partnering with JASON Learning to provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience for one London student and one London teacher this school year. The Argonaut Program is an opportunity for one London Middle School or one London High School student to work with students and scientists from across the country to learn more about Design Thinking, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship. JASON Learning will officially conduct one expedition in 2025, and the pre-application form is now open!
2025 Expedition Details:
Argos for Earth: Designing the Future of Conservation
The Bug Chicks will lead JASON Learning Argonauts on an Expedition to the Pacific Northwest in June 2025. Portland, Oregon is a hub for tech and innovation, its unique location draws wildlife and nature enthusiasts from around the world. Nestled between two mountain ranges, the ocean, and the desert, and surrounded by volcanoes, it’s a place where the Argonauts can test how AI and other advancements are making their mark in the world of conservation. Argonauts will engage in design thinking, research project design, and place-based problem solving as they explore how the dynamic landscape of the Columbia River Gorge has shaped how organisms live and thrive. It will be a week filled with science, innovation, and adventure!
Each Argonaut Team will create a SciComm piece to present to their local communities. Teacher Argonauts will pick one JASON curriculum lesson to integrate with community science/AI monitoring in the classroom and present at their District.
Students and teachers will develop a deeper understanding of design thinking and how they can incorporate DT techniques to solve other problems
Dates: June 20-26, 2025
The experience and trip are free to the chosen student and provided as part of the district’s partnership with Jason Learning. For more information about past expeditions, click here.
The Argonaut Program is for teachers and middle and high-school-age students. Students must be 13-17 years old at the time of the expedition. The application process has two parts:
Pre-Application - Complete this first part by January 3, 2025 to begin the process
Full Application - After eligibility is confirmed, applicants will receive a link to complete Part 2 by email. The full part 2 application is due by January 17, 2025.
Students interested are encouraged to get started on the application immediately!
Any student or teacher interested in applying should also contact Mrs. Pritchard (kylie.pritchard@london.k12.oh.us) who will provide small group and individual help sessions for students as they complete their applications and can answer any additional questions.
LONDON CITY SCHOOLS EARNS NATIONAL STEM CERTIFICATION
The London City School District has a long-established commitment to providing high-quality Science Technology Engineering Art and Math programs for students. This summer, those efforts were recognized on a national level. In early July at the Jason Learning National Conference in Leesburg, Virginia, the London City School District was recognized as an Emerging STEM District by the American Association of School Administrators and Jason Learning. The recognition is the culmination of a rigorous credentialing process, which took place during the 2022-2023 school year and included a lengthy application and site visit.
In awarding this honor, the credentialing team noted that London was truly outstanding when it came to developing a culture of STEM throughout the entire school district. Dr. Eleanor Smalley, President and CEO of Jason Learning, also provided feedback regarding the district’s application:
London City artifacts demonstrated an outstanding innovation, risk-taking, and development environment that integrated STEM entrepreneurship, digital literacy, scientific literacy, and innovation.
London City's Student STEM Advisory group is groundbreaking! Getting that student-level feedback directly to the Superintendent is such a fabulous idea. This is something that London City should present to inspire other districts to set up similar student advisory groups.
We were impressed with the evaluation, self-reflection, and internal discussions designed for continual improvement.
London City has an outstanding array of STEM offerings for every student in every grade level. The impact and integration of STEM across each school and each classroom as well as the opportunity and expectation that every student will participate, learn, and grow through STEM and scientific thinking and inquiry.
The district’s focus on strengthening STEAM programs is an effort to provide students with personalized learning opportunities in order to increase innovative, technical, and creative thinking, which began seven years ago. The focus on STEAM also seeks to build collaborative skills and provide opportunities to apply real-world learning experiences for students through the design process. Many of these skills and attributes are identified in the district’s Portrait of a Graduate.
The district will retain its certification for three years, after which, it will be required to participate in a re-credentialing process.
About AASA - The School Superintendent’s Association: A professional community of more than 10,000 educational leaders, AASA and its members are committed to providing high-quality public education to all students.
About Jason Learning - JASON is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1989 by Dr. Robert D. Ballard. JASON provides curriculum and learning experiences in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) for K-12 students and high-quality professional development for teachers. JASON has been used successfully in various formal and informal education environments.
LC S.T.E.A.M
LCS.T.E.A.M. PROGRAM GOALS & BENCHMARKS
LCS.T.E.A.M.programs exist to provide students personalized learning opportunities in order to increase innovative, technical, and creative thinking. The programs also seek to build collaborative skills and provide opportunities to apply real-world learning experiences through the design process.
The district will achieve the following benchmarks:
Engage students in meaningful problem-based learning across the curriculum and in each school.
Establish educational pathways, which include internships, linked to high demand careers, that are supported by partnerships with local industries and higher education partners.
Support problem-based learning, creativity, and personalized learning through the redesign of educational spaces and co curricular programs across the district (i.e. Makerspaces, Robotics, etc.).
Provide effective professional development to all district stakeholders to support problem-based learning, capacity building, and to enhance the change process.
Plan for sustainability by securing grant funding and researching other financial resources.
OHIO STEM HONORS DIPLOMA
London High school students can gain state recognition for exceeding Ohio’s graduation requirements through a STEM Honors Diploma. Students can earn this recognition by completing high-level coursework and completing an internship, which will provide real world experiences to challenge students.
STEM Honors Diploma Requirements
LCS.T.E.A.M. CURRICULAR PROGRAMS
District Project: Future Ready Schools
The London City School District has integrated the Future Ready Schools ideals into its strategic planning process. This process prioritizes building personalized, student centered learning environments based on research-based digital learning strategies.
District Partner: JASON Learning
London City Schools has partnered with JASON Learning to provide students STEM embedded travel opportunities, resources for design challenges, and STEM curriculum.
London Elementary STEAM Offerings
Launched in the Fall of 2018, LES students have the opportunity to explore several Project Lead the Way (PLTW) STEM modules.
London Middle School STEAM Offerings
Launched in the Fall of 2018, LMS students have the opportunity to extend their STEM experiences with several different PLTW STEM and code.org modules.
London Middle School Learning Blade
Students at London Middle School can explore STEM careers using Learning Blades, an online exploratory program.
London High School Computer Science Pathway
Today, fifty-eight percent of all new STEM-related jobs are in computing but just 10% of STEM graduates are in computer science. London High School has partnered with Project Lead the Way to provide a pathway for students. This program provides a series of computer science courses for students.
London High School Vocational Agriculture Pathway
As our district’s first and top STEM pathway, our vocational agricultural program prepares students to solve programs related to agriculture, AG business, Food and Animal Science, and Mechanical Principles. Our district also supports a thriving FFA program.
LCS.T.E.A.M ACTIVITIES
Ohio STEM Learning Network Annual Design Challenge
District students will participate and learn more about smart mobility during this year’s #STEMdrivesOhio design challenge.
Each year LCS students participate in the Hour of Code held in December during National Computer Science Week.
Robo Raiders
Our district supports a thriving Robotics club at London Middle School and a Robotics course at London High School. Robo Raiders focuses on the design, construction, and programming of robots. It provides learning opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). In addition, working as a team, students enhance their communication and cooperation skills. Robotics will focus on problem solving and applied learning.
Red Raider Esports
Formed at the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year, the Red Raider Esports team competes against other Ohio schools in electronic gaming.
District Makerspaces
Each school has designed unique spaces in which students may collaborate and create. These spaces include flexible seating, large display and collaborative opportunities, and resources such as computer aided design stations, 3D printers, broadcast areas with green screens, a podcast studio, etc.
Jason Learning Argonaut Experience
Do you have what it takes to be a JASON Argonaut? This is one of the most sought-after opportunities in the world of STEM education, only available to a select number of students and teachers from our Argonaut partner school districts.
The Argonaut team—named after the band of explorers in Greek mythology who accompanied the hero Jason in his quest to find the Golden Fleece—works directly with JASON scientists, engineers, and other inspiring STEM role models, assisting them on field expeditions, joining them in their lab or office, or being mentored by them remotely.
In doing so, JASON Argonauts experience authentic, real-world STEM in action, and share their understanding and excitement with their peers in school and throughout their community.
Argonauts document and share their expedition experiences with their communities back home and others throughout the world through photos, videos, presentations, and events. Expeditions are shared via social media and the JASON website, generating awareness and excitement about their adventures.
Who Should Apply?
STUDENTS WHO:
Will be between 13-17 years old on June 1, 2024
Demonstrate a strong interest and ability in science
Possess excellent leadership and teamwork skills
Are self-motivated, creative, and adventurous
Possess (or are willing to learn!) excellent communication skills
Exhibit an eagerness to participate in field activities which may be outdoors and/or strenuous in nature
Have ideally used JASON in an educational setting
Are enrolled in one of JASON’s Argonaut partner school districts
Note: For students with special needs, accommodations may be made consistent with the student’s’ IEP
If you are interested in participating in the Argonaut experience, you can find more information here. Applications will be opening soon.
