RES STEAM Program Info & Affirmation

Rivercrest Elementary, located in Bartlett, TN, is a Pre-K - 5 school that promotes a success-oriented learning environment, using data-driven instructional strategies, and digital resources. Our vision at Rivercrest is to ensure that all children show academic growth through the implementation of rigorous standards-based instruction and increase critical thinking skills through project-based learning, preparing them for their future in the modern word. Since 2015, Rivercrest has offered a STEAM Honors program to encourage student development and advancement in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics.  We are the only elementary school in Bartlett City Schools to have an approved STEAM program by our district, that is offered to students in grades 2-5.  Our Honors STEAM program is application based and students from across the district and Shelby County apply for transfers to be in our STEAM program. In addition, our school completed a rigorous, yearlong application process, site visits and interviews to become 1 of 26 schools across the state of Tennessee to be awarded STEAM Designation through the 2028 school year. This is awarded through the TN Department of Education and the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network. Our program allows students to participate in STEAM every day in their classrooms and our STEAM Class. Students engage in the Engineering Design Process by encouraging students to lead with a question, brainstorm, and plan for solutions. Finally, students test the solution and improve if it doesn't work. This growth mindset practice encourages students to look at mistakes and failure as part of the process and an opportunity to improve, rather than looking at them as the end and a reason to give up.  

We are proud to plant the STEAM seeds in our elementary school and watch as they continue to grow through course offerings at the middle and high school level.  

“Even though the future seems faraway, it is actually beginning right now!” Mattie Stepanek