Enrichment News/Updates (03/01/24)

Visit for updates on after-school Enrichment programs including new program registrations and club news. As always, please check the Enrichment Calendar on the stemk12.org website for the most up-to-date information on event locations, cancellations, and time updates.

Please Consider Donating to STEM’s Enrichment Programs

Donations will enable Enrichment to provide much-needed program scholarships for STEM families in need of financial assistance, update equipment, like Spike Prime kits for our First LEGO League, and offset expenses for our low to no-fee clubs and activities, like Battle of the Books and Craft Club. Click the button below to donate to STEM Enrichment today!

Summer with STEM School

Registrations are now open for a few of the summer camps at STEM and our club partner facilities, including Camp Invention, PALS Chess Camp and Fencing Camp (Fencing & Jedi Training).

4th Quarter Enrichment Club Registrations Opening Soon

The final sessions of the Chess Clubs, Craft Clubs and Fencing Club will start after Spring Break. Registration will open up on Friday, February 23rd.

STEM Battle of the Books Teams Finished in 1st Place & Qualified for the Knockout Rounds

Congratulations to STEM School’s Battle of the Books teams and coaches for finishing in the 1st Place slot in the Interschool Battles for the Highlands Ranch Library. Mrs. Ackley’s 5th/6th grade team was a strong competitor in the quarter-finals, but ultimately, it came down to one question in a 45 to 48 defeat by Summit View Elementary. Mrs. Gusich’s 3rd/4th-grade team is headed for the semi-finals on Monday, March 4th, at 4:30 to face Roxborough Elementary after a whopping defeat of Eldorado Elementary in a 51 to 30-point upset. GO STEM SPARTANS!

Registrations for 4th quarter clubs are now open!! Please review the offerings below and register

Fencing Club (K-5)

Fencing is a fantastic mental and physical sport that teaches competition, respect, and self-discipline in a safe and fun environment! (All equipment is provided.) Fencing Academy of Denver offers some of the most experienced coaching in the region. Learn from the best, learn fast, learn well, and have fun!

Wednesdays, from 2:35-3:30 p.m. – March 27 – May 15 – Registration Link

Chess Club (K-5)

Calling all budding Kings and Queens to PALS Chess Academy, one of Colorado’s premier chess programs! Following a creative and proven curriculum written by 5-time CO State Champion Lior Lapid, STEM School Chess Club brings humor, stories, and hands-on “chessercizes” to help students apply lessons on and off the board. We aim to make chess learning fun while teaching valuable critical thinking and life skills in every class. Students calculate options and evaluate consequences, use planning skills, learn from mistakes, overcome obstacles, and practice visualization techniques to think a few steps ahead. Monthly scholastic tournaments add to the experience! But whether playing in competitions or just for fun, your child will LOVE learning with PALS!

Mondays, from 2:35-3:30 p.m. – March 25 – May 13 – Registration Link

Thursdays, from 2:35-3:30 p.m. – March 28 – May 9 – Registration Link

Craft Club (K-5)

Calling all creative students! Let your creativity come alive through various crafts! Each week, students will make and take home a craft. In order to keep the student numbers balanced across grade levels, the registration is separated by grade level. Please see below.

Wednesdays, from 2:35-3:30 p.m. – March 27 – May 8 – K-1 Registration – 2-3 Registration – 4-5 Registration

Several spring elementary enrichment registrations are now open including chess, crafts, fencing, hip hop, poms & cheer, theater production and yoga. Opening after the break: Girls Who Code (grades 3-5) on Tuesdays starting in late January.

In the Dark About What’s Happening With a Club?

Join Canvas as an observer of your student! Many of the after school activities have an associated Canvas course where advisors post important information.

STEM TSA and DECA Students Are Going to Nationals!

The last week and a half has been jam-packed with awards and recognitions for both our middle and high school TSA (Technology Student Association) chapters and our high school DECA chapter. Congratulations to all of the students who qualified to attend the TSA National Conference in Orlando, Fla, and DECA’s International Career Development Conference in Anaheim, Calif.

A big shout out to the advisors and parent volunteers who have dedicated their time to supporting our students and guiding them to participate in the state competitions successfully.

FRC Prepares for Tulsa Regional Competition March 7-9th

STEM’s FRC Team Impulse will depart for Tulsa, Okla, for their first regional competition of the 2024 FRC season. Their new swerve module drivetrain has significantly stepped up their competitive edge for this season. They performed very well in the area scrimmage held in Colorado Springs last weekend. Go Spartans!