Enhancing our Program
STEAM
TPS’ first-ever, dedicated STEAM class, which premiered in 2019 with Junior Unit’s Full STEAM Ahead, has transformed into “T&E” or “Technology & Engineering” with the opening of the new Technology and Engineering Lab. Fifth graders build off of their circuitry knowledge to create robotic mechanisms on top of their new RVR+ model robots, diving into breadboards, microprocessors, and modularity. Electrical engineering is the focus for fourth graders, with a continued study on how to electrify light, sound, and motion.
Sixth grade’s 3D Design class has become Design Thinking, focusing on the Stanford d.school’s worldchanging framework for prototyping solutions to modern problems. The fabrication lab has expanded to include an AnyCubic resin printer and a xTool laser engraver and vinyl cutter and makes the sixth-grade yearlong experience one-of-a-kind.
Robotics
In the new Robotics Lab, this past year's class of seventh graders built off their predecessors’ success and competed again at the FIRST Lego League Challenge Pennsylvania State Championships. Mission tables gave students increased time to tinker, code, and iterate on their competition bots. With the addition of new makerspace equipment, the list of possibilities for their innovation project deliverables can only grow.
Outdoor Education
Outdoor education is a core pillar of the TPS progressive education experience. The success of this campaign has allowed us to expand the number of outdoor sites students visit, giving them exposure to different habitats, species, and environments based on what they are studying. Seventh grade students study birds at John Heinz National Wildlife Refuge, while Primary Unit studies amphibians at Awbury Arboretum.
Additionally, we have added more overnight camping trips to our middle school program, giving students the chance to stretch their comfort zone, immerse themselves in nature, and build stronger community with their classmates and teachers.
Professional Development
We have empowered our teachers with new opportunities to inspire professional excellence and grow. Through contributions to the TPS Fund, our faculty and staff have been able to pursue continuing education opportunities, ranging from courses on servicing students with neurodivergent needs, to outdoor education enrichment, to completing coursework toward additional degrees.
