At Longmont Estates Elementary, a small group of Gifted and Talented students gather around their work tables, eyes fixed on digital microscopes glowing before them. One by one, they adjust focus knobs and study the magnified textures of mystery slides – strands of fibers, fragments of plants, and other microscopic samples. Using deductive reasoning, design-thinking strategies, and sketches in their notebooks, students compare observations and debate possibilities. Students work individually first, then come together to determine each slide’s identity. Jessica Shaffer, the STEM Coordinator at Longmont Estates, moves between students, offering guidance and encouragement as they share theories and refine their conclusions.
Longmont Estates emphasizes a rigorous, integrated STEM curriculum that ignites student passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through real-world, inquiry-based learning. Teachers use a design-thinking approach that moves students beyond memorization, engaging them in experimentation, prototyping, and real problem-solving. Within the Gifted and Talented (GT) pathway, students with advanced learning plans meet weekly for enrichment activities tailored to their capabilities such as logic puzzles, diverging thinking exercises, or collaborative engineering-style projects.
Shaffer notes that the STEM classes at Longmont Estates give GT students authentic experiences that extend beyond the standard curriculum. “It is truly inspiring to witness their passion and dedication to exploring new frontiers in STEM,” she said, reflecting on how projects evolve each year. Students showcased many of those works at the school’s annual Innovation Fair, including robotics prototypes to self-driven “Genius Hour” research on topics like marine biology and environmental science. Through this blend of challenge, creativity, and hands-on learning, Longmont Estates Elementary cultivates growth in its students while nurturing a love of lifelong discovery.
