fosters a holistic sense of continuity and safety as children progress from preschool to kindergarten and eventually graduate from our division.” STEM AND SOFT SKILLS IN EARLY EDUCATION At the forefront of educational innovation, Buffalo Trail Public Schools integrates STEM education with essential communication and literacy skills from the early grades. This dual focus aims to prepare students comprehensively for the future, blending cutting-edge science and technology initiatives with fundamental soft skills development. Assistant Superintendent Trodden explains how these efforts stem from the Board’s priority of achieving student success. “We are implementing a new science curriculum with dedicated funding. We’re focusing on K-3 this year, and next year, we’ll move to grades 4-6. Our approach combines curriculum alignment with technology and leverages our rural setting.” BTPS utilizes its rural advantages to make STEM education more relevant and hands-on.“Many of our schools have greenhouses that double as classrooms and agricultural programs that include livestock, such as chickens. When teaching about forests and trees, we take students out into nature, making learning immersive and practical,” Trodden notes. He adds that one school will launch a land-based program for junior high students next year, where 5 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 05, ISSUE 08 BUFFALO TRAIL PUBLIC SCHOOLS
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