Forest Lake NASA Explorer School
2021-2022 Magnet Information
Magnet Schools of America Certified Demonstration School!
NASA Explorer School
Our teachers and students have been selected to participate in a variety of NASA opportunities. One of our most exciting was being chosen to take student -created experiments on the reduced gravity flight .... twice!
AdvancED STEM Certified
Magnet School of America Awards
Both our whole school magnet - NASA Explorer School and our program within a school magnet - the Elementary Learning Collaborative have been recognized as Schools of Excellence
Our principal and magnet lead have also both been recognized as an exemplary magnet school administrator and educator for our four-state cohort.
State Report Card
Ratings - Forest Lake Elementary earned an Excellent overall rating for both the 2017-18 and 2018-19 school years!
Forest Lake Elementary's Report Card
Awards - Elementary schools receive these state awards if they meet the criteria based on two indicators: Academic Achievement and Student Progress
Forest Lake Elementary NASA Explorer School
Forest Lake is a dual magnet school.
NASA Explorer School (NES) - “Full School” Magnet
All students - both those that are zoned for FLE and those that apply and are accepted through the Choice program participate in the NASA Explorer School (NES) magnet.
NASA educational resources, video conferencing with NASA, and an emphasis on STEM curriculum in the classroom, in Project Lead the Way (PLTW), and the NASA Lab support the goals of a NASA Explorer School. Together, we work to increase students’ interest and participation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) with an emphasis on strengthening their ability to apply these STEM concepts and skills in meaningful ways. NASA activities are integrated into all areas of the school throughout the year culminating in an exciting school-wide NASA-themed unit at the end of each year.
Elementary Learning Collaborative (eLc) - “School within a School” Magnet
There are two eLc classes in each grade level (K - 5th). Classes accept up to 22 students. This program builds its foundation upon Joyce VanTassel-Baska’s Integrated Curriculum Model as developed by the College of William and Mary’s Center for Gifted Education and uses their curriculum for ELA and to supplement Math and Science instruction. It is designed to meet the needs of, and challenge students that are highly motivated and able to work on grade level and above grade level material. The advanced and rigorous curriculum is delivered at an accelerated pace.
A random lottery is used to select ALL magnet students (eLc and NES).
Families may apply for any of the District’s magnet or choice programs during either Choice I or II. These are usually held in December/January and May respectively.
Forest Lake Elementary NASA Explorer School and the Elementary Learning Collaborative …
just around the corner but a world apart!
Email: mscullio@richland2.org
Website: https://www.richland2.org/fle
Location: 6801 Brookfield Road, Columbia, SC, USA
Phone: (803) 782-0470 . 74426
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Forest-Lake-Elementary-434759179903888/
Twitter: @FLEEagles
R2 Choice II Timeline
Monday, May 2: Choice II Online Application Window Opens
Monday, May 30 (5:00 PM): Choice II Online Application Window Closes
June (Specific Dates TBD): Parents Go Online to Check Application Status and Accept/Decline (see link below)
VEX Robotics Competition
NASA Lab Learning
Project Lead the Way - Engineering
Our Accomplishments & Special Programs
Awards and Recognitions
- Magnet Schools of America Certified Demonstration School
AdvancED STEM Certification
Palmetto Gold Award 2018-19
Palmetto Silver Award 2017-18
Magnet Schools of America Awards
School of Excellence: 2020 & 2019
School of Distinction: 2018, 2016, 2011, 2010 2008
Showcased during NBC’s “Education Nation”
Featured in the “Places People Learn” display in Rockefeller Plaza
An Edutopia “Schools That Work” Highlighted School (search for Forest Lake)
International Space Station Downlink Selected Participant
NASA Distance Learning Network (DLN) Selected Participant
SC National School Public Relations Association
Featured in USA Today Magazine
National Parent Magazine: Honor Roll School
Civil Air Patrol National School Award
Palmetto Finest Award
NASA Honor Roll School
Teacher and Student Recognitions
Space Camp Participants
Space Exploration Educator Crew Member
NASA eClips Advisory Board
Science P.L.U.S. Institute at Roper Mountain Science Center Selected Participant
National Association of Elementary School Principal’s: National Principal of the Year
First Recipient of the NASA DLN Beagle Award
National Aerospace Education Leader Award
National Association of Education Office Professional’s Administrator of the Year
National Civil Air Patrol Aerospace Connections in Education Student of the Year Awards
NASA Honor Roll Teachers
NASA Reduced Gravity Orbit Recipients
NASA Workshop Participation
State and National Conference - Selected Presenters
Magnet Schools of America Region IV (KY, NC, SC, and TN): Teacher of the Year
Magnet Schools of America Region IV (KY, NC, SC, and TN): Principal of the Year
Programs
NASA Family Nights
NASA Explorer Lab
Project Lead the Way Launch program (only elementary program in Richland 2)
Civil Air Patrol Aerospace Connections in Education Program
STEAM Fest (STEM with an Arts component)
NASA Buddies
Run Forest, Run
Forest Lake Today daily news show (Produced and presented by 5th Grade Teams)
StarLab Portable Planetarium
STEM-G Career Day
Eagle Expressions Literary Magazine
Educational Foundation-sponsored Community Run
Fifth grade extended field study to STARBASE Swamp Fox at McEntire
School Clubs
- Jr. Beta Club, SPARKS Coding,VEX Robotics Team, Chorus, Running Club
After School and Summer Opportunities
- H. Haney Golf, Soccer Shots, Lace Up Dance, Strategery Chess and Games,
American Made Gymnastics and Cheer, World Taekwondo, STEM for Kids: Robotics, STEM for Kids:
Coding and Games, Language Buzz: Spanish, and NASA ASTRO Camp
Technology
State-of-the-art 21st-century library and multimedia studio
Video conferencing equipment for learning opportunities with NASA
Skype a Scientist
Virtual Field Studies
Nook eReaders
Chromebooks
Spheros
3D Printer
VEX Robotic
SMART Slates
Yamaha Keyboard Lab in music
STARBASE Swamp Fox
Matter Matters!
Project Lead the Way
After kindergartners learn about the human body, they are challenged to design ...
NASA
The Forest Lake Elementary Shared Vision
Nurture and increase literacy and STEM-G academic achievement of
21st Century learners in order to create tomorrow’s leaders.
NASA Explorer School (NES) at Forest Lake Elementary is committed to providing a nurturing environment with a balanced curriculum that demands academic excellence. Our students experience NASA resources firsthand and participate in a variety of opportunities that help increase both their knowledge of and interest in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) curricula areas. Teachers and our Instructional Support Staff (Magnet Lead, Reading Coach, Librarian, and Technology Learning Coach) plan collaboratively to develop integrated units of study that incorporate 21st Century Skills: Learning Skills (critical & creative thinking, collaboration and communication), Literacy Skills (information, media, and technology), and Life Skills (flexibility, initiative, social, productivity, and leadership). Forest Lake Elementary NASA Explorer School … equipping the next generation of explorers!
Staying true to the original NASA Explorer School goals and objectives, our school provides multiple opportunities for students to:
Explore STEM-G topics in a variety of engaging and interactive NASA contexts.
Increase student interest and participation in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, and Geography (STEM-G) curricula areas and activities.
Increase student knowledge of STEM-G careers.
Increase student ability to apply STEM-G concepts and skills in meaningful ways.
In addition to the established NASA Explorer School goals and objectives, we facilitate learning in order to develop 21st-century learners that will be able to:
Participate in activities that allow them to become collaborators, critical and creative thinkers, and effective communicators.
Allow for student collaboration during daily lessons as well as short and long-term projects.
Increase opportunities for students to think critically through problem-solving and higher Depth of Knowledge level questioning and activities.
Encourage creative thinking through exploration and problem-solving activities
Provide daily opportunities for communication through academic and class community discussions.
Visiting the Moon
Coding
Lego Robotics
The Elementary Learning Collaborative
The Elementary Learning Collaborative Shared Vision
Promote a growth mindset in order to develop lifelong learners.
The Elementary Learning Collaborative (eLc) at Forest Lake Elementary School builds its foundation upon the Integrated Curriculum Model as developed by the College of William and Mary’s Center for Gifted Education. In addition to all of the benefits of the NASA Explorer School program offered at Forest Lake, the Elementary Learning Collaborative magnet is designed to meet the needs of and challenge students with the potential for high achievement through units of study that provide an interdisciplinary approach to instruction. Students will participate in multiple opportunities for the application of 21st Century learning skills: communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity. The advanced curriculum is designed to be delivered at an accelerated pace. The in-depth instruction is offered in all curricular areas and is supported through inquiry, research, authentic problem-based learning activities, additional speakers, and field studies. The Elementary Learning Collaborative (eLc) at Forest Lake Elementary School builds its foundation upon the Integrated Curriculum Model as developed by the College of William and Mary’s Center for Gifted Education. In addition to all of the benefits of the NASA Explorer School program offered at Forest Lake, the Elementary Learning Collaborative magnet is designed to meet the needs of and challenge students with the potential for high achievement through units of study that provide an interdisciplinary approach to instruction. Students will participate in multiple opportunities for the application of 21st Century learning skills: communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity. The advanced curriculum is designed to be delivered at an accelerated pace. The in-depth instruction is offered in all curricular areas and is supported through inquiry, research, authentic problem-based learning activities, additional speakers, and field studies.
Goals ...
Encourage and help develop a growth mindset
Develop the potential and talents of all students
Help each child learn something new every day
Differentiate the instruction to meet the needs of all students
Provide multiple opportunities for collaboration
Promote risk-taking
Strengthen speaking and listening skills through academic conversations and discussions
Respond to build an answer not just give an answer
Help our students see mistakes as opportunities for learning
It’s not that you don’t know something, it’s that you don’t know it yet!