Tempe Elementary Brings STEM Home with 350 K-5 Kits | The Locally Times
Over 350 K-5 students at two Tempe elementary schools are now building, testing, and iterating with hands-on STEM kits, sparking family-wide scientific exploration.
Tempe Elementary School District is transforming family time into discovery time, equipping over 350 K-5 students with hands-on STEM kits designed to bring science and engineering directly into their homes. Families at Scales Technology Academy and Holdeman Elementary received the kits, an initiative first reported by The Locally Times yesterday and further detailed in a March 25 district announcement. This program directly aligns with the district's strategic plan, specifically Goal 5.3, which aims to create authentic partnerships with families and strengthen the connection between classroom education and home engagement. ## Inside the Kits: Sparking Young Innovators The at-home STEM kits, distributed to families at Scales Technology Academy and Holdeman Elementary, aim to encourage young engineers and problem-solvers. Each kit, according to a March 25 district announcement, includes a book, an activity guide, and materials for hands-on STEM challenges. These activities promote skills such as problem-solving, creativity, and iteration, guiding students to build, test, and improve their designs. Providing families with a picture book to keep was an additional benefit, the district noted. ## Beyond the Box: Fostering Creativity with Everyday Materials The kits were created in multiple variations, organized by grade-level bands for K-2 and 3-5 students, to ensure age-appropriate and engaging experiences. Each kit begins with a storybook to introduce the activity and spark curiosity, as outlined in the district's March 25 announcement. Bilingual instructions guide families through the hands-on challenges, which often utilize everyday household recyclables in conjunction with provided tools such as scissors, string, popsicle sticks, and pipe cleaners. This design allows families to easily recreate or expand projects beyond the initial activity, reinforcing that creativity and innovation can happen using accessible materials. The district's records do not specify the exact types of STEM challenges included in the kits, nor do they detail the long-term impact or measured success of the initiative on student learning or family engagement. ## Tempe Schools Shine: High Schools Earn Top Honors The Tempe Elementary School District's focus on home-based STEM learning coincides with other academic recognitions within the broader Tempe educational system. The Tempe Union High School District announced on March 24 that Tempe High School and McClintock High School earned the A+ Schools of Excellence® award for 2026 from the Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF®) — identified as the highest state-level honor for public schools in Arizona. Additionally, the Tempe Union High School District reported that 25 of its seniors were named Semifinalists in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program. These students represent less than one percent of high school seniors nationally and are now eligible to compete for approximately 7,000 National Merit Scholarships, valued at about $26 million, scheduled for award in spring 2026. ## Key Questions **Which schools received the STEM kits?** Families at Scales Technology Academy and Holdeman Elementary received the at-home STEM kits. **What is included in each STEM kit?** Each kit includes a storybook, an activity guide, and materials for hands-on STEM challenges, along with bilingual instructions and tools like scissors and pipe cleaners. **What is the purpose of the STEM kit program?** The program aims to increase family engagement while incorporating STEM education and to strengthen the connection between classroom learning and the home.