Summit to Success: Elevating STEM & Innovation at CSS

Click the image for highlights of our STEM program from PreKindergarten through Grade 12.

“This is so much fun!” shouted Kindergarten student Van L. as his truck followed the track he engineered, dropping a marble at the finish.

This lesson in logical thinking, design, and problem-solving is just one example of the STEM curriculum woven into every division at The Colorado Springs School. New this year, STEM classes are offered from PreKindergarten through Grade 12, along with after-school robotics clubs for all grade levels.

“At CSS, STEM education from PreK through 12th grade engages students in hands-on robotics, coding, engineering, and design experiences that build problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration skills while preparing them to navigate a technology-driven world,” said Dr. Bradley Hayes, Director of STEM Innovation and Institutional Research.

After Van and another student built a different track, teacher June Chen-Hayes spotted an issue. But instead of fixing it for them, she said, “Run your finger along the tracks like this. What happens here?”

"Crash!” Van said, before adding a new piece so the trucks could turn successfully.

“It’s a hands-on play approach to STEM,” said Mrs. Chen-Hayes, who teaches the PreK STEM classes and the after-school Mini Makers Robotics Club for PreK and Kindergarten. “They’re learning through play without noticing.”

In PreK, STEM might mean using cardboard and pipe cleaners to build imaginative creations with a child-friendly ChompSaw, making bead bracelets in an ABAB pattern to practice sequencing, or operating a programmable mouse with arrows to explore basic coding concepts.

“I think the number one thing for STEM is creativity — being able to imagine something and then bring it to life,” said Mrs. Chen-Hayes, who encourages even our youngest learners to plan and ask questions.

In Lower School, students explore STEM through robotics with platforms like VEX IQ and Sphero, learn basic coding and if-then statements, practice the engineering design process, develop sequencing skills, and strengthen problem-solving skills.

First-grade students were recently tasked with building their own sumo wrestling bots with the goal of pushing their opponent’s bot off the arena. Some built elaborate arms and structures, while others kept their designs simple.

“What did you notice about building your robots?” asked Joel Cruz, who teaches STEM in Kindergarten through 8th grade.

“I learned a lot about ideas,” one student said.

Next, students will design animal bots and program them to join a dancing parade.

“The coolest part is that STEM gives children a tactile, hands-on way to understand programming. It makes abstract ideas real, sparking curiosity and excitement,” Mr. Cruz said. “By the time they reach Middle School, students have a solid base in programmatic thinking.”

Middle Schoolers dive into advanced engineering design using Legos, VEX IQ, and TinkerCAD, explore 3D modeling, deepen their understanding of mechanics and technology, program with block and introductory text-based coding, apply scientific and math concepts, and examine AI and its ethical implications.

"Getting students exposed to robotics and coding at a young age sets them up for greater technical fluency in the future,” Mr. Cruz said. “Even if they don’t go into tech, they’ll at least be able to troubleshoot, problem-solve, and not have to rely on someone else to fix things for them.”

Upper School students at CSS are honing advanced skills in computer science, engineering, and robotics, learning to program autonomous robots, apply engineering design principles, and explore AI and ethical considerations.

In Dr. Hayes’ Intro to Engineering class, students applied the design process to build a large wooden racecar ramp, which they used to deliver a hands-on Lego car lesson for children at the Cool Science Carnival Day at the University of Colorado–Colorado Springs on September 27.

“We’re racing cars down a ramp to achieve maximum speed, so we had to find which curve would give us the fastest results,” 12th-grade student Sophia B. said. “We learned how to optimize speed — like wind and air resistance — and we’ll present it to the kids at the science fair.”

Reflecting on the program as a whole, Dr. Hayes finds it incredibly rewarding to work alongside such a passionate and talented team — our daily STEM educators, after-school robotics leaders, and teachers who are bringing more hands-on ‘making’ into our classrooms.

“With STEM now offered from PreK through Grade 12 in class and after school, we’ve established a strong foundation — from pattern recognition and algorithmic thinking in early grades to software development in AP Computer Science Principles and project-based engineering in high school,” he said.

“But what excites me most is how we’re building on this momentum with ambitious plans for the future: a truly competitive robotics team, AI literacy across all grade levels, exploration of the inner workings of AI models in Middle and Upper School, and advanced offerings like AP Computer Science A and new real-world engineering challenges. The momentum is real — watch this (maker) space!”

Learn more and meet Dr. Bradley Hayes at Summit to Success: Elevating STEM & Innovation at CSS on November 6 at 8:00 a.m. in the Trianon. RSVP here.

Watch CSS students in Intro to Engineering deliver a hands-on lesson for children at the Cool Science Carnival Day at the University of Colorado–Colorado Springs on September 27 from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Save the Dates for Upcoming Summit to Success Events in the Trianon

• September 24, 5:00-6:00 p.m.: Elevating Excellence in our Divisions, RSVP here
• October 8, 8:00-9:00 a.m.: Elevating Student Wellness at CSS, RSVP here
• October 15, 5:00-6:30 p.m.: Elevating Academic Excellence in Upper School, RSVP here
• November 6, 8:00-9:00 a.m.: Elevating STEM & Innovation at CSS, RSVP here

Robotics Clubs

We’re thrilled to launch after-school Robotics Clubs for students in PreK through Grade 12—an incredible (and free!) opportunity to dive deeper into STEM.

The Mini Makers Club (PreK–Kindergarten) and Junior Robotics Club (Grades 1–5) are already so popular that they’ve reached capacity and now have waitlists.

Middle and Upper School students, meanwhile, are encouraged to stop by the Competitive Robotics Club on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:15–5:00 p.m. in El Pomar to see if they’d like to join. Learn more and/or register at bit.ly/CSS-Robotics.