Skip To Main Content
Gilbert Public Schools Logo

K–12 STEM Pathways Across GPS Campuses Maximize Student Opportunities

Tristan Chavez
Flyer that says For Immediate Release by GPS
A group of young people, both male and female, are gathered around a table in what appears to be a library or study area, examining various materials and engaging in discussion.

GILBERT, Ariz. (March 19, 2026) – From elementary innovation labs to junior high multimedia centers to high school biomedical capstones, Gilbert Public Schools (GPS) is continuing to expand and align STEM learning opportunities across campuses - creating clearer academic pathways for students from kindergarten through high school graduation.

While STEM programs have long existed at GPS with a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math, the district plans to continue adding academic STEM opportunities, including the addition of STEM 2 courses at multiple junior high schools in the 2026-2027 school year.

District leaders say the focus is not simply on adding courses, but on strengthening alignment.

“We’re looking carefully at how each level prepares students for what comes next,” said Renita Miller, GPS Program & Workforce Development Coordinator. “STEM is not one isolated class. It’s a mindset built over time, so we’re focused on teaching students how to problem-solve, document their thinking, test ideas, and persist.”

STEM Begins in Elementary

STEM education is first introduced to GPS students in elementary schools. At Quartz Hill Elementary, for example, students are engaged in studying weather patterns using green screen technology in the school’s Innovation Lab. Students produce their own weather reports, blending science standards with digital production and presentation skills, bringing STEM learning to life in a specialized, hands-on learning space. The Innovation Lab supports student engagement in STEM, featuring activities like robotics, coding, and collaborative, creative projects, which are all celebrated at the school’s annual Innovation Night. 

Quartz Hill teachers, staff, and students actively collaborate across grade levels and with South Valley Junior High and Campo Verde High, ensuring each year’s learning builds toward the next, preparing students for the academic STEM opportunities at the secondary level and beyond.

Continuing the STEM Mindset in Secondary Education

At the junior high level, STEM coursework includes curriculum from Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Gateway units. All STEM courses across GPS Junior Highs utilize the Design & Modeling and Automation & Robotics units from PLTW. These courses introduce structured design processes and encourage students to approach challenges systematically.

STEM courses at Junior High Schools also tailor units to prepare students for their feeder high schools. South Valley Junior High, for example, teaches the PLTW Medical Detectives unit so students are better prepared to enter the Biomedical Sciences (BioMed) Career & Technical Education (CTE) program at Campo Verde High School. In the BioMed program, students progress from foundational biology coursework to advanced innovation projects that mirror real-world medical and research challenges. By the 4th year of the BioMed program, students work on a capstone project with a mentor or advisor from a university, hospital, or physician’s office to practically solve a real-world problem.

“I feel that having a STEM course in junior high allows students to get a head start and a look at careers they might be interested in. Instead of being discouraged from entering a program known to be rigorous, they get a sneak peek of how capable they are and continue in programs like BioMed or Engineering,” shared Clarissa Monreal, the BioMed teacher at Campo Verde High.

A room with several people seated at desks, using computers, with a large purple logo on the wall in the background.

At Desert Ridge Junior High, students take the PLTW Computer Science for Innovators & Makers unit, which prepares them for entering the Engineering CTE program at Desert Ridge High. The school also offers students a Multimedia Center equipped with tools for 3D modeling, animation, video production, virtual reality, and game design. The STEM course and Multimedia Center at Desert Ridge Junior contribute to the School of Innovation, hosted by the junior high and Desert Ridge High School. At the School of Innovation, students have the opportunity enter Engineering and Computer Science pathways that help them build the skills they need to unlock career opportunities in the job market of their future.

A Connected Academic Experience

Across all campuses, district leaders describe STEM not as a standalone initiative, but as part of a broader effort to prepare students for an evolving workforce while maintaining strong academic foundations.

By expanding advanced junior high coursework and strengthening collaboration between campuses, GPS aims to ensure students can explore interests early and pursue them with increasing depth.

“We’re focused on building forward,” said Eric Cruz, Principal at Desert Ridge Junior High. “We work a lot with our feeder schools to give students the tools and confidence to take the next step.”

For families and community members, the result is a clearer picture of how academic pathways connect across campuses, from elementary exploration to high school specialization. To learn more about the academic pathways found across GPS schools, visit GilbertSchools.net/Teaching-Learning or schedule a tour at a local school at GilbertSchools.net/Tour.