1. Salk Middle School
Pre-Engineering Magnet Program
Grades 6-8
Julie Athman, Principal
Elk River Area School District

2. Welcome to Salk Middle School
Our Mission:
Salk Middle School will provide a
safe, supportive, and inclusive
environment that prepares all
learners to achieve their personal
best, become responsible and
productive citizens, and embrace
lifelong learning.

3. STEM Magnet Program
Curriculum Goal
Promote 21st century communication and
literacy skills in
Science,
Technology,
Engineering,
Mathematics.

4. Curriculum
 State standards determine the learning outcomes
 STEM theme drives the curriculum and lesson planning
 Each quarter is assigned a “STEM Theme”
 Teachers work together, across content areas, to
develop units that reinforce the STEM theme and are
hands on and inquiry based projects.

5. Quarterly Themes
Quarter 1: Quarter 2:
Technology Scientific
Applications Communication
s
Quarter 3: Quarter 4:
Nature of S.T.E.M.
Science and In Society
Engineering

6. Project Lead the Way
 Inquiry-based engineering curriculum created by
educators and engineers
 Utilized in Industrial Technology and Sixth Grade Science
Courses
 Modules include Science of Technology, Design and
Modeling, and Automation and Robotics
 Projects include Rube Goldberg Machines, Machine
Disassembly Labs, CO2 Cars, Air Racers, Mag. Lev.
Vehicles, and Robots

7. Field Trips
Friendship  Space Camp
Ventures  Washington, D.C.
Science Rocks  MN Zoo
Project Earth  Biz Town
MN History  Math Mentors
Museum  University Libraries
Science Museum

8. Technology Tools
 4 computer labs  Classroom Sets of I-Pads
 3 laptop carts  Smart Response Systems
 Digital Cameras  Garage Band, iTunes,
iMovie, PowerPoint, Excel
 Vernier Probes
 ProScopes
 SmartBoards
 EasyBib
 TI-Nspire Calculators
 Online Databases
 Project Lead the
Way Equipment

9. Guest speakers
Culture STEM
 Motivational Speaker from  Humane Society
the Hmong Culture
 MN School of Business
 Jewish Faith
 Computer Engineers
 Muslim Faith  Civil Engineers
 Buddhist Faith  Bio-Engineers
 Native American  University Media Specialists
 Mixed Blood Theater  Science Express

10. Family Outreach
Magnet Specific Salk M.S.
 Magnet Program  Family STEM Night
Information Nights
 Open Houses
 History Day Information
Nights  Parent Teacher Conferences
 Science Fair Information  School and Teacher
Nights Websites
 History Day Celebration  Digital Newsletters
 Science Fair Celebration  Parent Volunteers

11. S.T.R.I.D.E.
 Students are directly taught positive
behaviors as they relate to
Respect
Responsibility
Reliability
 Students are recognized for demonstrating
positive behaviors throughout the school
day

12. Celebrations
 2009 Magnet School of Excellence
(Magnet Schools of America)
 2010 MN Magnet School of Merit
(Minnesota Magnet School Association)
 2010 Best School Award
(Central MN Regional Science Fair)
 2011 MN Magnet School of Merit
(Minnesota Magnet School Association)

13. Volunteer Opportunities
If not you, then who?
 Science Fair Judging
 History Day Evaluations
 Guest STEM Professionals
 Field Trip/Tour Opportunities
 Mentors

14. Contact Information:
 SALK MIDDLE SCHOOL
11970 Highland Rd.
Elk River, MN 55330
763-241-3455 ext 2506
 http://sms.elkriver.k12.mn.us/