Lino Lakes Elementary principal and STEM specialists presented a multi‑pronged initiative to strengthen daily STEM learning across the school, including project‑based learning units, new student 'STEM identity' badges, family‑facing public products, and partnerships for offsite experiences.

District science instructional coaches and Lino staff said the school piloted a project‑based learning (PBL) approach in second grade, integrating science (habitats), ELA (informational writing) and math (scale drawings) into a single unit. The second‑grade team conducted a launch event, took students to the Minnesota Zoo to study penguin and wetland habitats and held a public product event where families toured student projects. Staff reported positive parent feedback and sustained student conversation about the topic at home.

Lino staff also described a new monthly STEM‑identity program: teachers tally student demonstrations of science and engineering practices tied to nine identities (e.g., questioner, analyzer). The winning classroom earns a decorated STEM trophy and school‑wide recognition. Students in fifth grade helped design badge art; classrooms earn badges by reaching monthly tallies. Staff described the trophy delivery as a high‑energy community moment that increased engagement.

The school outlined further plans: a third/fourth‑grade PBL unit to redesign the school commons, a spring STEM night in partnership with the Science Museum of Minnesota, a winter 'cardboard challenge' (Winter Olympics theme) and expanded computer‑science and stop‑motion animation work pending grant awards. Staff said coaches provided planning support and kit preparation to reduce the extra workload for classroom teachers.

Board members praised staff for increasing student engagement and noted the program’s potential to build family connection and career awareness. No board action was required at the first reading.