Self-Assessment rating 4
Mater Gardens Academy believes in creating a meaningful achievement in academics by using a comprehensive cross-curricular approach that establishes how and why we learn. This enables students to become confident, self-directed, and responsible lifelong learners and doers. We use Miami Dade Public School District pacing guides coupled with Academica Pacing Guides infused with STEM components to ensure opportunities for teachers and students to use problem-solving skills to engage real-world scenarios.
Research, analysis, and collaboration are practiced at every grade level ensuring problem solving skills and habits are established by offering students multiple opportunities to participate in real world applications. We emphasize on collaboration, exploration, inquiry, research, problem-solving, public communication, and technology in all content areas to prepare students for secondary education and careers. Community involvement through career day and in class lectures ignite exploration of the workplace opportunities as they witness the results of education.
Project based learning is part of our learning experience giving students a place to use the tools learned while establishing a reason for their learning. The engineering design process is key as students ask, imagine, plan and create whys to improve on any problem. Teachers introduce the process and may participate in guiding them but ultimately, they define the problem and seek solutions. Although challenging, creating a problem-based learning environment enhances all learning at our school.