STEM
STEM Overview
Mission
San Antonito STEM Magnet Community cultivates learning excellence in our diverse student population through integrated academic and environmental STEM experiences.
Motto
Contact Information
- Matt Buchanan
STEM Coach - Valerie Apodaca
DigiLab Instructor
MSA Pillars at SASM
- Diversity: All students are welcome to attend SASM. As an APS neighborhood magnet, open places first are filled through our district-outlined zone, then through the Transfer Office's wait list.
- Innovative Curriculum and Professional Development:
Students:- participate in six hours weekly of integrated STEM into content areas.
- explore their interests during trimester STEMquiry Days.
- hone 21st Century Skills.
- lead Project-Based Learning units.
- focus on a different science-theme each trimester: Earth Science, Physical Science, or Life Science.
- use beautiful mountain environment to work, study, and for environmental initiatives.
- work with experienced staff who receives professional development to support their unique curriculum expectations.
- Academic Excellence: SASM's consistently scores above both state and district averages in testing. Our staff effectively and efficiently to support students' academic and social-emotional growth. We have high student expectations and challenge them with vigorous content and in their interest areas while providing needed support in foundational skills.
- High Quality Instructional Systems:
SASM students are given many opportunities:- to explore the STEM theme,
- to delve deeply into environmental topics, and
- to work collaboratively with peers, school mates, and community members and organizations.
- Family and Community Partnerships: SASM PTA (Parent Teacher Association) is extremely active and supportive, both with volunteers and financially, of our programs and activities. We are so fortunate to have this wonderful connection with our families and community. Throughout the year, students work with community partners such as Soilutions, Master Gardeners, exerplay, Sandia Mountain Natural History Center, EMIFPA, and many other organizations.
STEM Garden Party
Roadrunner Star Parties
Twice a year SASM students organize and run Star Parties at school. Using a donated observatory and telescopes obtained through a grant and community donations, students invite their families and friends to join them for these fun-filled events. The Albuquerque Astronomical Society and the Air Force Research Lab community liaisons come and set up their own telescopes and to help run the school's telescopes.
There are games and activities to plan in between the stargazing: Lite Brites, stories, glow-in-the-dark corn hole, coloring pages drawn by the students, raffles, and other engaging activities.
STEM Links
Magnet Schools Of America (MSA)
Project-Based Learning
SASM Student Technology Projects
Visit our PBL: Passion Brought to Life page to see our students' STEM integrated work that benefits the community.
Wonder
Two 4th graders setting the clocks using military time and advanced work.
Students learn about the surface tension of water allowing them to make bubbles while washing their hands.
3rd graders are learning pre-algebra legal moves with the program Hands-on Equations.
A first grader and his family are bottle feeding baby pigs because the pigs' mother was not willing to do it. He brought one to school to show Mrs. Gallegos.
A 3rd grader is reflecting on the female inventor she is researching.
During their library time, classes often use an outdoor classroom for their learning and reading pleasure.
A 1st grader is applying his measuring skills to make his design accurate and match the criteria he was given.
Explore
A student experiences firsthand air currents effects on a hot air balloon gondola. Thanks AirPlay!
4th graders made solar ovens in which they cooked S'Mores!
First graders write a program to a robot draw geometric shapes on a piece of paper.
A 2nd grader investigates the best materials for constructing a butterfly pavilion, his classroom's PBL.
5th graders determine the weight of air through a hands-on experiment.
KEP-gifted 2nd graders post a notice for their upcoming PBL: The Global STEM Monster.
A 3rd grader learns the shape, heads, and tails for various coins as well as completing math problems involving money.
Kindergarteners traverse their surroundings and wonder about the environment.
Contribute
A 4th grader teaches other students about Alexander Fleming during his living biography presentation.
Kindergarteners encourage donations of socks to APS's Socktober Drive!
5th graders design, build, and display their East Mountain food web to teach other students about our ecosystem.
4th and 5th graders support our East Mountain Food Pantry by donating canned & other nonperishable goods.
Grades K-5 run laps during our PTA's one and only fundraiser that supports our STEM learning.
4th graders use hallway displays to advance their understanding of mathematical concepts & skills.
Students honor and thank our amazingly kind and professional school secretary on her birthday.