Propel Schools
Braddock Hills Elementary School
P: 412-271-3061 | F: 412-271-0865 |
- STEAM Integration
- Classroom Integration
- Pilot Initiatives
- Latest News
Propel Schools will provide a STEAM Integration learning experience that encourages a natural curiosity, increases scientific literacy, and applies science to everyday life through comprehensive community partnerships and inquiry-based instruction.
This brochure is available in your school’s main office. You can also download a PDF version of it here.
Classroom Integration
We are committed to creating integrated learning opportunities.
Our goal is to prepare students to solve real-world problems through project based units that connect all content areas. With a primary focus on computational thinking and technology based skill application, students will learn how to create, think critically, collaborate and communicate their ideas.
Project Based Learning
Every trimester, students in grades K-2, 3-5 and 6-8 are led by teachers and integration specialists in the completion of projects reflective of 21st Century Skills and focus on the LUMA Human Centered Design model for techniques in problem solving.
Project Based Learning are standards-based and occur during teaching and learning to extend lessons. Students build a personal connection with the lesson through these projects, ultimately deepening their understanding of the content. Participation with one of over 40 Propel Partnerships may be embedded within this projects, offering students with a even deeper personal connection to the topics being investigated.
Examples of project based learning can be found across all of our grades -- second grade students creating digital storyboards to practice narrative writing, middle school students exploring local non-profits and designing one of their own to better serve the Pittsburgh community after a novel study in ELA, or high schools music students investigating music from around the world to collaborate on a production.
Third grade students at Propel Northside extended their third trimester focus of plants to birds. They studied how birds affect plant growth by eating the seeds and spreading them again in their waste. Students visited the Audobon Society where they learned about seed balls and different types of seeds. They studied local birds of Pittsburgh and spent two weeks tracking and collecting data on the types of birds that visited the outdoor garden bird feeders that the kids made and hung at Propel Northside. The students even used Scratch, a coding program, to make birds in a maker center activity.
Digital Citizenship/Common Sense Media
Common Sense is the nation's leading independent non-profit organization dedicated to empowering kids to thrive in a world of media and technology. Families, educators, and policymakers turn to Common Sense for unbiased information and trusted advice to help them learn how to harness the positive power of media and technology for all kids.
Parent Resources
"How much screen time is too much? At what age should my child get a cell-phone? How old should my child be before he/she has social media accounts?"
Parents have questions, and Common Sense Media has tips and tricks to raising kids in the new tech frontier of parenting.
Common Parenting Concerns
Family Guides to Apps, Books, Tv, Movies and more
Top 20 Podcasts for Kids
Pilot Initiatives
Everyday, Propel educators strive to provide our students with enriching lessons and memorable experiences to guarantee that all of our scholars are prepared for the 21st century workforce.
The following initiatives have been launched in a handful of our schools. As we continue to learn and develop, these innovative programs will grow alongside our students.
Studio 4C
Our Studio 4C classrooms, open at Propel Braddock Hills and Montour Middle Schools, blend creativity, collaboration, communication and critical thinking into weekly skill-based projects. Projects will stem from Educurious and include 21st century skills focused on technology and art integration. From creating graphic novels to launching social awareness campaigns, students work together in all core content areas while using onsite, cutting-edge technology from the Carnegie Science Center's FabLab including laser cutters, 3D printers, drawing iPads and personal computers.
Check out what is going on in Propel Montour's 4C Classroom anytime by clicking here!
K-4 Integration Teachers
Integration teachers work hands-on with students and educators in grades K-4 at BHES, MES and Propel Homestead. These teachers collaborate with the student's classroom teacher to bring weekly, through co-taught, skill-based lessons to the classroom. Students dive into projects in all content areas. They use the LUMA Human Centered Design techniques and methods for problem solving, "How Can I/We Build Create Something for a Public Purpose?" to help them fully understand how to create and solve real-world problems.
Verizon Innovative Learning and Digital Promise Partnership
Verizon, through a partnership with Digital Promise, has equipped every child and teacher at BHMS and Propel Northside's middle school with a tablet and two-year data plan. Through this partnership, our students have the opportunity to learn through technology that they may otherwise never have the opportunity to use. You can learn more here!