Somerset Palms Academy
Building Problem Solvers Through STEM

When a student's glasses broke during the school day, the obvious solution would have been for a teacher to fix them. At Somerset Palms Academy, however, the teacher turned the moment into a student-led challenge. Students brainstormed ideas, built prototypes and tested different approaches until they found a design that kept the glasses functional for the rest of the day. What began as an impromptu classroom problem became a STEM exercise in engineering, collaboration and problem-solving.

That classroom experience reflects how learning unfolds at the K–8 public charter school. Teachers serve as facilitators while students investigate, experiment, and solve problems independently. STEM is woven throughout the curriculum, encouraging critical thinking and the practical application of learning.

"STEM takes learning beyond memorization by challenging students to apply what they know across disciplines," says Adriana Diaz-Garcia, principal.

The philosophy shapes instruction across the school. Teachers focus on helping students master academic standards rather than simply emphasizing test preparation. Science, mathematics, literacy, art and physical education are intentionally connected, helping students apply STEM thinking across disciplines.

Those ideas take shape through hands-on STEM challenges at every grade level. First graders design their own fidget spinners, while older students build bridges, bottle rockets, rovers, solar-powered cars and fully functional solar ovens. Students also investigate plate tectonics, design Field Day obstacle courses and create artwork using tools they have designed themselves.

Bringing STEM to Life

Learning extends beyond the classroom walls through partnerships with parents and community professionals, helping students see how STEM connects to everyday life and future careers.

"We want students to see that STEM exists in places they might not expect," says Anais Millares, curriculum and ESE program director.

Those connections begin with careers students may not immediately recognize as STEM. A travel consultant shows how mathematics and technology support route planning and time zones, while IT professionals introduce cybersecurity and network infrastructure. Other speakers widen that understanding further, from a music therapist leading STEM-centered activities through music to a chef demonstrating measurement, heat transfer and fermentation in cooking. Virtual guest presentations and annual visits to the Pérez Art Museum Miami highlight STEM's creative side.

Families reinforce these experiences through STEM Nights, Career Days, field trips, volunteer opportunities and committees, including PALS and the Educational Excellence School Advisory Committee.

Learning also flows from student to student. Middle school students design STEM projects for younger learners, while students returning from STEM summer camps lead classroom STEM activities, creating a culture of peer learning.

Building a Foundation for Success

Somerset Palms Academy pairs high academic expectations with targeted student support. A multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) helps identify students requiring additional assistance while providing targeted interventions, accommodations and ESE services. Counseling services also support students' social and emotional development.

Equally important is the school's investment in its teachers. Teachers participate in professional development through the Doral Leadership Institute, mentoring programs and peer-learning initiatives. Instructional rounds and classroom observations help educators share effective practices across the school.

The impact is evident in student achievement. The school reports 84 percent proficiency in mathematics and 74 percent proficiency in science, including 91 percent proficiency in third-grade reading and 100 percent proficiency in seventh-grade civics. Eighth graders complete high school-level Algebra and Biology before entering high school, preparing them for competitive magnet programs in Miami-Dade.

Students participate in the Somerset Math Bowl, Battle of the Books, SECME, Miami Youth Fair and National History Day competitions, with recent successes including first place in the Somerset Math Bowl and recognition at National History Day.

Graduates consistently earn admission prestigious, competitive high schools throughout Miami-Dade County.

At Somerset Palms Academy, STEM is more than a subject. It prepares students to become curious learners, confident leaders and capable problem-solvers beyond the classroom.