Science · Technology · Engineering · Mathematics

STEM Pathway — current, K–12

STEM is built into every Life Academy year — not a sixth classroom, not a later add-on. Kindergarten looks like play with a purpose. High school looks like a transcript. Same $35/month per student or $69/month per family (up to 4 students). Week 1 free to try.

K–12 included From $35/month NGSS · CSTA · engineering every band AI literacy, age-right College-prep rigor · nationwide families

Enter Classroom See every grade Plans

Honest claim: This is a parent-directed STEM pathway inside our curriculum — not a state STEM magnet school, and not currently an accredited institutional STEM diploma. Parents follow their state’s homeschool rules.

The four letters — where they live

S · Science Observe · explain · prove

NGSS-style inquiry: life, earth, physical, and lab science K–12. CER writing from middle school on.

T · Technology Tools · data · computational thinking

Unplugged coding in K–5. Data, models, and cyber-hygiene in 6–8. Python/pseudocode + digital ethics in high school.

E · Engineering Ask · build · improve

Design challenges every band — Kindergarten towers through a Grade 12 public capstone. Not parked until Grade 5.

M · Mathematics Mastery math ladder

Singapore CPA: objects → pictures → numbers, then Algebra → Geometry → Algebra II → Precalculus or Statistics.

What “current STEM” means here

We did not copy a dusty worksheet pack. The pathway tracks the frameworks serious U.S. programs use now — science, engineering, coding, and named high-school credits:

Rigor bar: Science of Reading, mastery math, and lab science that can sit on a college transcript. Engineering weaves through every grade, not a later add-on.
Science: Investigate, model, argue from evidence. Climate and earth systems are in the middle-school map, not optional extras.
Computer science: CSTA computational thinking, starting unplugged (no laptop required in K–2).
AI literacy: Kindergarten learns “a computer follows steps.” High school learns what a model is, where bias comes from, and when not to trust a chatbot for homework.
Engineering: The full loop every band: ask, imagine, plan, create, improve.
Math: Conceptual mastery before tricks. High school credits are named for a transcript.

Read the age bands: computational thinking · AI literacy · full pathway notes

By grade band

K–5 · Fun on purpose

Pictures, Voice Coach, Skill Gym, kitchen labs, and block towers. STEM belongs in elementary — it just should not look like a lecture.

Math: Singapore-style CPA (objects → pictures → numbers)
Science: senses (one per day in K Week 1), weather, magnets, sink/float, kitchen chemistry, solar system
Engineering: Kindergarten 5-block tower → Grade 5 design capstone
Technology: unplugged sequences, tally charts, “debug the robot parent”

Kindergarten · 5th Grade · K sample lesson

6–8 · STEM builders

Middle school is where the engineering design cycle becomes a habit, next to ratios-to-algebra and integrated science.

Math: ratios → proportional reasoning → Grade 8 Pre-Algebra (Algebra I in 9th)
Science: cells, earth/climate systems, physical science + CER writing
Engineering: multi-week design loops
Technology: data, graphs, intro to predictive models, device hygiene

6th Grade · 8th Grade · Grade 8 sample lesson

9–12 · STEM scholars

High school STEM means real lab science and math credits on a transcript — plus a senior science/engineering capstone. Tone is serious. Work is named for colleges and umbrella schools.

Math: Algebra I → Geometry → Algebra II → Precalculus / Statistics
Science: Biology → Chemistry → Physics / related labs → Capstone
Engineering: prototype cycles and public demo in Grade 12
Technology: Python/pseudocode labs + AI literacy (bias, citation, academic honesty) — included in the pathway

9th Grade · 12th Grade · Diploma path

Grade-at-a-glance

Grade	Science	Technology	Engineering	Math
K	Five senses, weather	Unplugged sequences	5-block tower	Count, compare, shapes
1–2	Magnets, habitats, water cycle	Patterns as algorithms	Ramps / push-pull	Facts to 20 → regrouping
3–5	Forces, energy, kitchen chemistry	Tally → tables; debug	Design notebook	×÷, fractions, decimals
6–8	Cells, climate, physical science	Data, models, cyber-hygiene	Multi-week loops	Ratios → Pre-Algebra (G8)
9–12	Bio / Chem / Physics / capstone	Python/pseudocode, AI ethics	Lab + public demo	Algebra → Precalc/Stats

Open the full grade-by-grade map →

Teach a STEM lesson today (Week 1 free)

K · Unplugged CSRobot parent

Sequences + debug · pictures first

K · MathWeek 1 Math

Count 1–5 · classroom lesson

5th · EngineeringKitchen-to-design

Evidence + improve a prototype

5th · ScienceWeek 1 Science

Classroom lesson · free sample

8th · DataClimate in a table

Read a data set, then argue

9th · BiologyWeek 1 Science

CER · STEM scholar sample

9th · TechnologyFirst Python lab

Variables, loops, honesty rules

12th · CapstoneWeek 1 Sci/Eng

Senior engineering start

STEM is not a sixth class. It lives inside math, science, history, English, and Life Skills every week — plus these sample labs. English and History still build reading, writing, civics, and research.