Cinnaminson board highlights student STEM wins and outlines K–12 science, STEM expansions

The Cinnaminson Township School District Board of Education recognized an eighth-grade Project Challenge team for regional planning honors and heard a district presentation on K–12 science and STEM curriculum.

At the start of the presentations, the board invited members of the Future Cities team forward after Mr. Coppello noted the Jan. 25 competition results. The eighth-grade project, named "Applewood," won “excellence in regional planning” from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission. The students — including Matthew Angelo, Grace Bazzilla, Warner James Crockett, Natalie Freni, Joseph Hannigan, Thomas Klein, Theodore Meeker and Jeffrey Wiseman — were acknowledged by district staff and photographed with board members.

Director of instruction Matt Perkupka told the board the district’s K–12 science vision emphasizes “evidence-based classrooms” and the process of science as a way of thinking. "Science is much more of a way of thinking than it is a body of knowledge," Perkupka said, describing a classroom cycle that begins with identifying a phenomenon, gathering and analyzing data, and refining solutions.

Elementary teachers Danielle Berson and Lauren Nutt demonstrated how the district applies that model in early grades. Berson described a second-grade design challenge in which student teams build a bridge using supplied materials; "The criteria for this is that their bridge must be able to hold six blocks," she said, adding the bridges also undergo a spray test as part of performance criteria. Teachers said the exercise concludes with a CER (claim, evidence, reasoning) response that asks students to justify conclusions using the evidence they gathered.

Perkupka also outlined recent and planned course offerings. The high school added marine biology and sports medicine electives in the current year; Perkupka described plans to pilot an aviation and aerospace elective at the middle school next year that would include flight simulators and drone training, and he signaled an intention to expand related industrial-arts and tech-theatre opportunities at the high school.

Board members and the superintendent praised the students and staff. The presentation closed with an invitation for follow-up questions; Perkupka said he would remain after the meeting to answer them.

The board’s recognition of the Future Cities award and the science/STEM presentation were part of a longer agenda that included routine approvals and several votes.