STEM at RCSA Intracoastal
At RCSA Intracoastal, we believe STEM education is about more than learning science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It is about encouraging students to ask questions, solve problems, think creatively, collaborate with others, and apply what they learn to the real world.
Throughout their time on campus, students have opportunities to explore STEM through hands-on projects, academic competitions, specialized electives, and extracurricular clubs. From designing their first invention in elementary school to competing on STEM teams, our students are encouraged to become curious thinkers, creative problem-solvers, and confident innovators.
Shark Tank | Grades K–2
Our youngest students get an early introduction to entrepreneurship, creativity, engineering, and problem-solving through our Shark Tank experience.
Students are challenged to think of a problem they would like to solve and develop an idea, invention, or product that could help. They work through the creative process of developing their ideas and then present their solutions to an audience.
This experience allows students to practice:
• Creative and critical thinking
• Problem-solving
• Designing and building
• Communication and presentation skills
• Entrepreneurship
• Collaboration
Shark Tank allows our youngest learners to discover that they can be inventors, designers, and problem-solvers while making STEM learning fun and meaningful.
Elementary Science Fair | Grades 3–5
Students in grades 3–5 have the opportunity to participate in our Science Fair, where they develop and investigate their own scientific questions. Students move through the scientific process by asking questions, conducting research, developing investigations, collecting and analyzing data, and communicating their findings.
Science Fair helps students develop important skills such as:
• Scientific inquiry
• Research and investigation
• Data collection and analysis
• Critical thinking
• Problem-solving
• Written and verbal communication
• Perseverance
The Science Fair gives students an opportunity to take ownership of their learning and experience what it is like to think and work like a scientist.
Middle School Science Fair | Grades 6–8
Middle school students continue developing their scientific thinking through our in-house Science Fair.
Students design and conduct independent scientific investigations, analyze their results, and present their findings. Students who demonstrate outstanding work have the opportunity to advance beyond the school-level competition and participate in district-level Science Fair competition.
This experience challenges students to take greater ownership of the research process while strengthening their skills in:
• Experimental design
• Scientific research
• Data analysis
• Evidence-based reasoning
• Scientific communication
• Independent learning
For students interested in pursuing STEM in high school and beyond, Science Fair provides valuable experience with authentic scientific research.
STEM Competition Teams
For students who want to take their STEM experience beyond the classroom, RCSA Intracoastal offers several academic and STEM-based competition teams.
These programs give students the opportunity to work collaboratively, solve challenging problems, build and test designs, and compete against other schools.
Science Olympiad
Our Science Olympiad team gives students the opportunity to explore a wide range of scientific disciplines through academic and hands-on competition.
Students prepare for events that may involve biology, chemistry, physics, earth science, engineering, coding, and other areas of STEM. Some events challenge students' knowledge through tests, while others require students to design, build, test, and improve devices.
Science Olympiad emphasizes:
• Advanced scientific knowledge
• Engineering and design
• Problem-solving
• Research • Teamwork
• Communication • Time management
• Perseverance
Students work together throughout the season to prepare for competition and have the opportunity to represent RCSA Intracoastal at regional and higher-level competitions.
FIRST LEGO Junior League
Our FIRST LEGO Junior League academic competition teams combine LEGO robotics with research, innovation, and teamwork.
Students work together to design and program robots while also exploring real-world challenges and developing innovative solutions. Teams must communicate, collaborate, test their ideas, and make improvements along the way.
FIRST LEGO League helps students develop:
• Robotics and programming skills
• Engineering and design thinking
• Creative problem-solving
• Research skills • Collaboration
• Communication
• Innovation
The program encourages students to see themselves not just as students who use technology, but as people who can create, design, and program technology themselves.
Computer Science | Middle School
Our middle school Computer Science course introduces students to the foundations of computational thinking, programming, and computer science. The course uses curriculum from Code.org, providing students with engaging, age-appropriate opportunities to learn how computer science is used to solve problems and create technology.
Students develop skills in areas such as:
• Computational thinking
• Programming and coding
• Algorithms
• Problem-solving
• Digital literacy
• Technology and innovation
Students learn that computer science is not simply about using technology—it is about understanding how technology works and learning how to create with it.
SeaPerch
SeaPerch combines science, technology, engineering, and mathematics with underwater robotics. Students work as a team to design, build, test, and operate a remotely operated underwater vehicle. Along the way, students encounter real engineering challenges and must troubleshoot, redesign, and improve their creations.
SeaPerch gives students hands-on experience with:
• Robotics
• Engineering design
• Electronics
• Buoyancy and physics
• Problem-solving
• Coding and technology
• Teamwork
• Innovation
Rather than simply learning about engineering, students get to experience the engineering design process firsthand as they build a vehicle and prepare it for competition.
STEM Elective | Middle School
Our middle school STEM elective provides students with an opportunity to explore STEM through hands-on, project-based learning.
The course utilizes curriculum from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, connecting classroom learning to real-world STEM applications and careers.
Students have opportunities to explore engineering concepts, design challenges, technology, problem-solving, and other STEM topics while developing the skills necessary to approach complex problems from multiple perspectives.
The course emphasizes:
• Engineering design
• Hands-on learning
• Innovation
• Critical thinking
• Problem-solving
• Collaboration
• Real-world STEM applications
Students are encouraged to design, test, revise, and try again—mirroring the process used by engineers and other STEM professionals.
Building Future STEM Thinkers
At RCSA Intracoastal, STEM opportunities grow with our students.
K–2: Students discover creativity and invention through Shark Tank.
3–5: Students explore scientific inquiry through Science Fair and have opportunities to participate in STEM competition teams.
6–8: Students can take STEM and Computer Science electives, participate in Science Fair, and join competitive teams such as Science Olympiad, SeaPerch, and FIRST LEGO League.
Through these experiences, students build more than STEM knowledge. They develop the curiosity, creativity, collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills that will help them succeed in high school, college, careers, and beyond.
At RCSA Intracoastal, we want our students to leave campus knowing not only how to find answers, but also how to ask better questions, tackle difficult problems, and create solutions of their own.
