STEAM
WE MAKE, CREATE, LEARN, PROBLEM SOLVE, AND THINK!
STEAM at Gulf Shores Elementary School: Empowering 21st Century Learners
At Gulf Shores Elementary School, we embrace STEAM—a cross-curricular educational approach that integrates Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics. STEAM guides students through inquiry-based learning, dialogue, and critical thinking—essential skills for today’s world and tomorrow’s challenges.
Our STEAM goals include:
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Career Exploration
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Diversity in STEM Fields
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Community Partnerships
We envision learners who take thoughtful risks, engage in experiential learning, persist in problem-solving, embrace collaboration, and work through the creative process. These are the students who will become the innovators, educators, leaders, and creators of the future—preparing for careers that may not even exist yet!
Where Students Experience STEAM:
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Enrichment Classes
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Core Classroom Instruction
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Field Experiences
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Clubs and Extracurriculars
Hands-On STEAM Opportunities Include:
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Robotics
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Coding
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Engineering
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Makerspace Activities
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Technology Fluency
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Physical & Environmental Science
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Critical Thinking & Creativity
STEAM Learning at Home
To keep the momentum going beyond the classroom, students can access the following resources from home:
For even more home learning resources, visit Mrs. McKinney’s STEAM Links page, or reach out with any questions:
📧 hmckinney@gsboe.org
GSES Participates in Airbus’s 50th Anniversary Celebration — and Wins Big!
Gulf Shores Elementary School recently entered Airbus’s 50th Anniversary contest for a chance to win one of their brand-new “We WILL Build It Better” Kits—hands-on resources designed to spark student interest in engineering and aviation.
On E-Learning Day, STEAM teacher Hilary McKinney and Academies & CTE Director Jessica Sampley took five excited 4th and 5th grade students to Flight Works Alabama and the Airbus Final Assembly Line to join the celebration and hear the big announcement.
We’re thrilled to share that Airbus generously awarded a kit to every school system in Mobile and Baldwin Counties!
While there, our students:
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Completed an interactive Airbus scavenger hunt
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Spoke with Airbus employees about their roles and career journeys
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Got a behind-the-scenes look at the world of aviation and advanced manufacturing
This opportunity highlighted just how valuable industry partnerships are in exposing our students to STEAM and aviation-related career paths—right here in our region.
A huge thank you to Airbus for investing in the future of education and innovation, and for inspiring the next generation of thinkers, builders, and leaders.
Thank You to the City of Gulf Shores for Supporting Innovation in Education!
#MakeWaves | #STEAMinGSCS
We are incredibly grateful to the City of Gulf Shores – Municipal Government for making the new STEAM Lab at Gulf Shores Elementary School a reality! Without the City’s generous support, this incredible learning space would not have been possible.
The brand-new Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (STEAM) Collaborative Learning Center is more than just a building—it’s a student-centered, experience-based hub designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking.
This state-of-the-art facility includes:
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Six flexible classrooms
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Two fully equipped STEAM labs
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Outdoor learning spaces
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Break-out collaboration areas
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Three interactive aquariums
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Learning-focused hallways that double as instructional space
"We are excited to open the STEAM Collaborative Learning Center at Gulf Shores Elementary School. This center not only expands our student capacity but also introduces a dynamic learning environment that will provide engaging and innovative learning opportunities. It truly provides a glimpse into the future of our school system."
Thank you again to the City of Gulf Shores for investing in our students and our future. Check out the photos below to see this exciting new addition to Gulf Shores City Schools!
