The STEMful Journey: September Monthly Highlights

At STEMful, we do more than just experiments. Every day, our learners are guided through The STEMful Approach, empowering them to be Curious, Resourceful, Purposeful, Innovative, and Expressive.

Below, you’ll find a summary for each of our cohorts detailing how these values come to life each month. We hope these updates help you engage with your child about their journey and their favorite “aha!” moments.

Inside This Update:

  • Cohort Summaries & Photos: Read about our monthly lessons and click the private links below to view our community photo albums.
  • Upcoming Programs: Check out our newly added School Holiday Camps and Movie Night dates!

Member Perks & Discounts:

  • Afterschool Members (2-5 days): Enjoy 5% off camps and movie nights.
  • Founding STEMful Family Members: Enjoy 10% off these programs and more.
  • Note: To receive your discount automatically, the Care Connect account holder must register the student via our website.

Helpful Resources: For your convenience, we’ve included links to the SFUSD and TECA Academic Calendars, as well as our STEMful Family Handbook.

This site is private and shared exclusively with our Curiosity Afterschool Community.


Curiosity Club Juniors (TK) and Explorers (K-1st)

Science & Engineering in Action

This month, we introduce our students to the interconnected worlds of Scientific Inquiry and Engineering Design. Over the coming weeks, our goal is to show our learners how scientists and engineers investigate, understand, and improve our world every day.

Thinking Like Scientists: We will kick things off using the See–Think–Wonder routine to spark curiosity. By making close observations and asking thoughtful questions, students will learn how to turn their natural wonder into testable predictions.

Testing & Observing: Through hands-on investigations, students will practice being careful and creative as they conduct experiments and observe their results with a scientific eye.

The Engineering Shift: In our final week, we will transition to the Engineering Design Process. By following the cycle of Ask, Imagine, Plan, Create, Test, and Improve, our students will grow into Innovative and Resourceful problem-solvers. We can’t wait to see their purposeful ideas come to life!

Curiosity Juniors (TK) Photo Album Link 

Curiosity Explorers (K-1) Photo Album Link


Curiosity Club Creators (2nd-5th)

This month, our theme of Creative Design empowered students to investigate their world through two unique lenses:

The Artist’s Eye: Students used observation to create self-portraits that represent who they are. This project integrated fine arts with geometry and science as students navigated symmetry, proportion, and color mixing.

The Engineer’s Mind: We explored inventive thinking through the Engineering Design Process. From identifying a problem to refining a final prototype, our students tackled design challenges that built critical thinking and teamwork.

By guiding a project from “idea” to “creation,” our learners are practicing the Resourceful and Innovative mindsets that define The STEMful Approach.

Creators (2nd-5th)  Photo Album Link


School Holiday Camps and Movie Nights

Upcoming Movie Nights (takes place every other Fridays):

  • The Rise of Teenage Mutant Ninjas Turtle: 9/11
  • The Emperor’s New Groove: 9/25

Upcoming Camps:

  • TECA Professional Development Day: 10/02
  • Indigenous Day and Fall Break Week: 10/12-10/16
  • Veterans Day: 11/11
  • Thanksgiving Week: 11/23-11/25

Contacting STEMful

The start of the year is all about connection and co-creation. Our students are already practicing The STEMful Approach in these key ways:

Please do not call/text your child on their own device, as we require devices to be off and away. To reach a student, please contact admin through the number above.


Questions?

We’re Here to Help

Whether you’re wondering what program is the best fit or just want to learn more, we’re happy to chat. Because you deserve to feel good about where your child learns and grows.

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