Cabarrus County offers one of the only K–12 STEM pipelines in the state of North Carolina. Our STEM schools teach using an interdisciplinary, problem-based approach to learning. Students are encouraged to utilize the design cycle, work collaboratively, and think creatively. Teachers use the inquiry model of teaching—they are facilitators who lead a student-centered classroom.

Elementary School
Introduces students to problem-based learning, providing opportunities for authentic growth and development.
Links learning to career and industry as students investigate real-world problems.
Promotes innovative thinking through the use of technology and our engineering design cycle.
Allows students the opportunity to explore, experiment, and solve problems logically.
Young children with a strong foundation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics will go on to play an integral role in our nation’s global competitiveness and economic stability.

Middle School
Continues the use of problem- and project-based learning lessons to allow students to investigate and see real-life connections.
Develops innovative, critical thinkers who can communicate their ideas.
Lessons are student-centered, and teachers are facilitators of learning.
Many lessons are hands-on and encourage students to develop their curiosity.
Uses the design cycle to help students improve their ideas and encourage a growth mindset.
Interdisciplinary lessons help students transfer knowledge between subjects.

High School
Continues problem- and project-based learning to make global connections.
Provides opportunities for students to visit and work with community partnerships to see and understand how STEM is applied in the community around them.
Focuses on the concept of teamwork to solve real-world scenarios.
Students are introduced to VEX robotics and higher levels of coding.
Students focus on concepts of engineering and technology in depth in all content areas to better comprehend the twenty-first century’s stance politically, socially, and economically.

Learn more about the only K–12 STEM pipeline in North Carolina.

In Cabarrus County, STEM can lead to a variety of high school options as well as both college and career pathways:

Our two high school STEM programs offer three distinct honors-level pathways for graduates, including a STEM capstone diploma.
Our high school academies offer seven different STEM-related fields.
Many STEM students go on to be successful in early college and Career and College Promise programs, achieving high marks in college coursework.
STEM high school pathway information can be found below: