From life-saving breakthroughs in biomedicine to assistive technologies that give voice to those with disabilities, the most powerful innovations happen when creativity and STEM go hand in hand. At that intersection, we find solutions that don’t just solve problems – they bring us closer together.
This same belief is reshaping how we approach learning. At RISE Elementary (Reaching and Inspiring through STEAM Education), education is human-focused and rooted in real-world exploration. With encouragement to imagine, hands-on tools to engage, and a community that embraces “trying again,” students gain more than knowledge – they build a mindset for lifelong success.
On a [STREAM] Mission
From the moment students step through RISE’s doors, science comes alive – engaging their senses and grounding learning in real-world wonder. Kindergarteners explore translucence through a glowing lightbox of colorful jigsaw pieces. Third graders cheer as a classmate’s egg-drop design holds. A first grader races down the slide, wondering how to go faster – prompting a lesson in aerodynamics.
At RISE, science isn’t just a subject; “We do science every day and incorporate it into everything we do,” says Principal Satotha Burr. As a result, students don’t just memorize facts – they grow up seeing science as relevant, hands-on, and always within reach.
This approach energizes classrooms—and helps close opportunity gaps. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, 27% of fourth graders and 41% of high schoolers performed below science standards in 2019, showing how hard it is to catch up when early exposure is missing.
RISE’s elementary experiences are designed to change the odds – making learning continuous and cumulative so every student grows confident in their capabilities.
Odd-Defying Impacts
Because STEM is best understood in context, many students benefit from kinesthetic learning – activities that let them create, observe, and investigate – encouraging critical thinking in action. Yet even naturally curious students may struggle to move beyond vocabulary memorization without hands-on experiences. According to the National Math and Science Initiative, this challenge is most pronounced among low-income students – only 9% of whom meet ACT college readiness benchmarks in math and science.
To help close these gaps, RISE introduced a suite of multisensory resources and curricula that let students explore, test, and reimagine STEM in real-world ways. This early introduction to STREAM equips kids with learning processes that help them keep up in higher education and excel at problem solving. This practice encourages cross-curricular and contextual thinking, and develops technical skills by reinforcing them in application challenges. For example, students study the senses, then program Bee-Bots to move toward words linked to sight, learning literacy skills through simple programming commands. They explore habitats, then engineer shelters for animals with their Habitats Activity Bundle, learning about life-sustaining environments through construction criteria. They learn about light and color, then use their Light Activity Bundle to demonstrate how light creates color – and craft a story to bring it to life.
These experiences do more than teach content – they develop habits of mind. Through hands-on learning, students gain the confidence to explore, the curiosity to question, and the resilience to learn through trial and error.
It’s a philosophy shared by Matt Frankenbery, Chief Executive Officer at Pitsco Education and a passionate advocate for student success:
“In our ever-changing, technological world, it’s critical to place students in learning experiences where they develop confidence, perseverance, and grit to continue to push forward, even when their first attempt is not successful. Hands-on learning and interaction with real-world phenomena are the vehicles for those learning experiences.”
And the results speak for themselves.
“For the past few years, we’ve given a general skills assessment three times a year,” explains Principal Satotha Burr. “Usually, we see some regression – especially after summer break. But this year was different: there was no regression. That’s almost unheard of. Students are actually retaining what they learn.”
While the students may not be thinking about college yet, they’re already imagining futures powered by STEM.
“I want to be a tornado chaser,” one boy says, grinning.
“I’m going to be a zoologist!” another student declares. “I already learned about animal life cycles and metamorphosis,” she adds, proudly referencing her recent STREAM Mission.
When every activity builds on core STEM concepts, students don’t just see how STEM connects to everyday life – they start to see how it connects to their lives.
Building Learning to Be More Than Parts
Integrating STEM with reading and art turns essential skills like critical thinking, creativity, and teamwork into everyday practice – but building those experiences takes more than toothpicks and cotton balls.
“We do a TON of science here,” says RISE student Leighton. “It’s my favorite. We get to do hands-on activities and build stuff with friends. I learn better that way.” She recalls the “My egg broke, so I failed. But that means I get to try again. I realized I needed more cushioning. I’m excited to try again.”
Leighton’s enthusiasm for learning isn’t an unusual experience at RISE. In fact, third-grader Katherine calls the school “the best place on Earth”. Her high praise comes down to intentional planning that empowers her interests and centers team-based, student-led learning.
“At my old school, we just sat at desks – no talking. But here, we work in groups. When I get paired with someone new, I make a new friend!” She adds, “The teacher gives us roles – like writer, thinker, or explainer. I love being the explainer because I’m good at talking.”
This kind of learning mirrors real-world careers, where teamwork is seen as an opportunity to exchange ideas that fuel innovation. And while some might underestimate young students’ ability to collaborate, kids value responsibility – and rise to meet it.
“They’re using academic vocabulary, brainstorming, and taking initiative,” one teacher says. “After learning about light and sound, our first-graders created and choreographed an entire glow-in-the-dark concert.”
More than that, students are applying their learning to make an impact in their community. After reading I Survived Hurricane Katrina, they turned their STREAM Mission into a real one – fundraising for hurricane relief. They planned, researched, and organized events, raising over $1,000 for a local charity.
What makes this possible? The curriculum.
“The solution isn’t a product,” one educator says. “It’s a curriculum that makes lessons—on hurricanes, habitats, programming, or plant life—real through tools like Bee-Bots, Activity Bundles, and Mission Journals for reflection.”
At RISE, students don’t just learn STEM – they live it. And in doing so, they’re discovering what they’re capable of.
Making School Where the Heart (and Mind) Is
When schools move beyond products and embrace tools for discovery, methods for exploration, and moments that connect students through both success and failure—they become more than schools: They become places where curiosity leads, confidence grows, and every child has the chance to thrive.
Ready to reimagine what learning could look like at your school? Be sure to check out this video on how RISE Academy’s hands-on STREAM approach is changing student education. Got your inspiration? Connect with an education advisor and explore hands-on, custom-fit curriculum solutions that make immersive engagement the standard.