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January 9, 2026

Young learners build foundation in STEM at Theodore Roosevelt Elementary

Students at Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School begin their STEM education the moment they walk through the school doors, engaging with science and technology concepts from PreK through second grade.

Science and technology teacher Regina D'Orio meets with every class in grades K-2 once a week for STEM lab sessions. She also collaborates with classroom teachers on extended cycle units that dive deeper into specific topics for students in PreK through grade 2.

Throughout the year, Ms. D'Orio's curriculum tackles real-world challenges through age-appropriate units. Students might work to Save the Bears while learning about global warming, explore physics through Ramps and Racecars, study biology in the Butterfly Garden unit, or investigate weather and engineering through Hurricanes and Wind Speed.

Currently, second graders are immersed in the Rover Robots unit, using Lego Education SPIKE kits to design and build amusement park rides. After construction, they program their creations to move, bringing their designs to life through coding.

The hands-on approach resonates with young learners, who eagerly anticipate their time in the STEM lab.

Ms. D'Orio has a gift for planning units that combine engineering challenges with the learning of important scientific concepts, said Principal Devra Small. She ably incorporates all aspects of the state standards for science from core ideas to important skills and practices to cross-cutting concepts such as 'cause and effect' or 'structure and function.'

Ms. Small noted that the curriculum's balance of rigor and engagement keeps students motivated. The children are excited to go to science-technology class because it is both challenging and fun, she said. They excitedly tell me what they are working on and why it matters.

By introducing STEM concepts in the earliest grades, Theodore Roosevelt Elementary ensures students develop both foundational knowledge and genuine enthusiasm for science and technology that will serve them throughout their academic careers.

 

Two young students work on tablets at a table in a classroom.   Children gather around a table, looking at tablets in a classroom setting.   A teacher assists students working on tablets at a round table.   A teacher smiles while interacting with a group of students in a classroom.   Two young girls collaborate on a project at a table in a classroom.   A young student wearing glasses focuses on a tablet screen in a classroom.   A young boy in a red striped shirt focuses on a tablet.   Two young students collaborate while using a tablet in a classroom setting.   A teacher assists students using tablets in a bright classroom setting.   Two young students work at a table, focused on their tablets and building blocks.