Stimulate the whole mind. Educate the whole child.
Who We Are
Envision Science Academy is a K-8 science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) public charter school that opened in August 2014 in Wake County.
Charter schools are public schools that operate independently and provide tuition-free education to all students. Charter Schools are funded and regulated by the State of North Carolina although they are founded and governed by a non-profit board of directors. Enrollment is open to all students through a lottery system. To learn more about our charter application and appendices, visit the NC Office of Charter School's website.
Being a charter school means we get to create our own, unique mission and vision for our students and craft our educational experience to meet those goals.
Our mission is to provide innovative instruction through experiential learning with a focus on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) in order to prepare elementary and middle school students to compete, lead, and excel in the global marketplace.
Our vision is, by engaging in project based learning, students will be prepared to pursue STEAM related careers and become lifelong learners.
Why Global Citizens?Our mission is to provide innovative instruction through experiential learning with a focus on science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM) in order to prepare elementary and middle school students to compete, lead, and excel in the global marketplace.
How does ESA create Global Citizens?
Global citizenship is an ongoing endeavor. ESA is continually working to integrate diverse and various experiences and perspectives in the classroom. Students are constantly working in teams or pairs to complete projects. Learning to think critically while in group settings requires students to learn to work with and interact with people who may be different from them. Furthermore, ESA strives to offer culturally aware professional development opportunities so that our teaching staff is well-equipped for any student they may have in their classroom as well as has knowledge about how to incorporate global themes in their lessons.
Why Project-Based Learning?
Our vision is, by engaging in project based learning, students will be prepared to pursue STEAM related careers and become lifelong learners.
How does ESA implement Project-Based Learning?
Project-Based Learning (PBL) takes a lot of work and dedication from teachers. At ESA we feel strongly that this work and dedication pays huge dividends for our students and their futures. For PBL to be utilized in its truest sense projects must be authentic, meaning that they have to have a real-world purpose or context and help solve a real problem that addresses issues or points of interest in the students' lives. In PBL the project is not done at the end of a unit, the project IS the unit of study. In other words, the project is HOW students are learning the subject content, all while continually developing 21st Century Skills. PBL requires students to work together to solve a "driving question" through critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration. In order to create outstanding work students must learn to effectively communicate with each other and use higher-order thinking skills and learn to work as a team. For more information on what the "Gold Standard of PBL" looks like, we suggest visiting PBL works.
On a more specific level, project-based learning can look very different within the classroom(s). Teachers are given the freedom to design their own projects in whatever way fits their style or content the best. Our teachers are skilled at finding new and creative ways to provide students opportunities for hands-on learning through projects. Students are often creating or engineering something or they may also be troubleshooting how to fix a product or solve a problem. Another likely feature is that students actively collective their own data through interviews, measurements, record keeping, or other methods of data collection. Regardless of the design of the project the main focus is that students are the ones who put in the work, make the effort, and learn the material rather than receive direct instruction from the teacher. Students are encouraged to find their own path to success which allows for their individuality and creativity to shine.
Why STEAM at Envision?
At Envision, we believe integration of the Arts with STEM enhances student engagement and learning which unlocks creativity and innovation. We are passionate about education and innovation, and excited about the opportunity to serve our students and promote lifelong 21st century learners. Our goal is to stimulate the whole mind in order to educate the whole child.
STEAM education helps to develop well-rounded students who can reflect logically and culturally, enhancing their competitive advantage in the ever-changing global economy.
Our vision is, by engaging in project based learning, students will be prepared to pursue STEAM related careers and become lifelong learners.
How does ESA incorporate STEAM?
At Envision delivers a STEAM-based education through smaller class settings, project-based learning, and differentiated instruction where students are encouraged to learn at their fullest potential. Classes and assignments are designed to be as interdisciplinary as possible. Structuring our classes in this way allows students to learn in authentic and meaningful ways rather than looking at everything on individually. The world around us doesn't keep topics fully separated so we don't either!
Our 6th grade art class did a Dragon Eye project in celebration of the Chinese New Year, for the year of the Dragon.
A science class incorporated the arts in an assignment on intervals of geologic time.
Upper school STEAM students using green screen technology.
A 5th grade student with a sketch of a design for an earthquake withstanding structure.
The hydroponics growing system utilized in one of our fourth grade classroom. Students learn about the science of photosynthesis combined with alternative technologies and systems that can be used to grow things.
Baby chicks our second grade class hatched from eggs during their "Life Cycle of a Chicken" unit.