Academics

STEM Education

STEM Education at Sanford School

From Preschool through Grade 12, students engage with science, technology, engineering, and math to imagine, design, and create. Guided by the engineering design process, they learn to ask questions, test ideas, and develop solutions with curiosity, persistence, and confidence.

Our dedicated Pirnie STEM Lab and Lower and Middle School makerspaces are hubs of innovation. These spaces are equipped with 3D printers, robotics kits, woodworking tools, sewing machines, digital devices, and other emerging technologies that encourage students to plan, tinker, experiment, and collaborate. Projects range from building prototypes and designing apps to coding animations and producing multimedia presentations.

Sanford’s teachers weave STEM into authentic, hands-on experiences across the curriculum.

In Lower School, students create and problem-solve through collaborative makerspace projects, gaining early exposure to coding, digital tools, and media production.
Middle School students expand their skills in electives like Programming, STEM Exploration, and 3D Design while experimenting with robotics, engineering, and multimedia in the Pirnie Lab.
In Upper School, students apply their learning to advanced math, science, and technology courses, exploring everything from multivariable calculus and AP Chemistry to Engineering, Data Science, Veterinary Science, and AP Computer Science.

Every Sanford student has the opportunity to create, collaborate, and solve real-world problems.

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Every child can solve a problem by designing and creating.

Technology and Learning

To be successful in our digital world, students need to know how to use technology to learn, communicate, present information and data, solve problems, complete projects, and to do all of this effectively and efficiently. Each division uses a wide variety of technology in age-appropriate, task-appropriate ways to prepare them for success.

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Lower School

At Sanford’s Lower School, STEM begins with curiosity and creativity. In our makerspace, students explore hands-on projects through collaboration between library, technology, and science classes. This early exposure helps them develop problem-solving skills, creativity, and confidence as they design and build their own ideas.

Technology is integrated into daily learning across all grades. In the early years, students practice keyboarding, use iPad apps, and gain familiarity with Microsoft Office to support their productivity. By Grades 2–4, every student has access to a 1:1 Chromebook, where they learn research skills, practice programming, and strengthen logical thinking while expressing creativity.

Every Lower School classroom is equipped with an interactive whiteboard, giving teachers the tools to lead dynamic lessons and students the chance to reinforce skills and concepts in interactive ways. The Lower School Library also plays a key role, blending research skills with technological proficiency to support project-based learning.

A highlight of the program occurs when fourth graders produce the Sanford Lower School News. Students rotate through roles as anchors, camera operators, and sound technicians while classmates across the division tune in. This student-led broadcast showcases how technology and collaboration bring learning to life.
Middle School

Sanford’s Middle School STEM program blends strong academics with hands-on exploration, giving students the skills and confidence to thrive in high school and beyond. Across math, science, technology, and our makerspace, students are encouraged to ask questions, test ideas, and work together to solve real-world problems.

Mathematics
Beginning in Grade 5, students solidify core skills in fractions, decimals, geometry, and problem-solving while building perseverance and confidence as mathematicians. By Grade 6, students follow flexible pathways that allow them to progress at the right level of challenge, with courses ranging from Pre-Algebra to Algebra I and Geometry. Collaborative projects, real-world applications, and technology integration prepare students for the rigor of Upper School math.

Science
Middle School science brings concepts to life through labs, field studies, and engineering challenges. Fifth graders study matter, astronomy, and life cycles while raising ducklings and launching rockets. Sixth graders conduct a stream study on Sanford’s campus, test water quality at the New Jersey shore, and explore Newton’s Laws through playground design. Seventh graders dive into biology through labs and the annual Cardboard Boat Regatta, while eighth graders tackle chemistry and physics with projects such as crash-test cars and the Science Fair.

Technology & Makerspace
Every Middle School student receives a Chromebook and develops digital fluency through research, writing, coding, and media creation. In Grades 5 and 6, students practice keyboarding, CAD design, animation, digital photography, and block programming with tools like Micro:bits and Scratch. By Grades 7 and 8, they advance to coding in Python, robotics with Sphero, Dash, and VEX IQ, and multimedia production.

Sanford’s makerspace and Pirnie STEM Lab are hubs of creativity. Equipped with 3D printers, woodworking tools, robotics kits, and digital media equipment, these spaces allow students to design, build, and test ideas. Electives such as STEM Design, Game Design, Programming, Robotics, Music & Sound Production, and Engineering give students the opportunity to take risks, pursue passions, and even compete in challenges like the DelDOT Bridge Building Competition.

STEM at Sanford Middle School isn’t just about learning content; it’s about developing curiosity, resilience, and innovation. By the time they enter Upper School, students are confident problem solvers, creative thinkers, and collaborators ready to take on advanced STEM courses and real-world challenges.
Upper School
In the Upper School, students apply digital tools across every discipline, from analyzing data in science labs and creating presentations in history to producing multimedia projects in the arts.

Students build on the skills developed in Middle School, using Google Workspace, coding platforms, CAD software, digital media tools, and data analysis applications to support their coursework. They write essays, design websites, create videos, collect and interpret data, and present complex ideas with confidence.

Beyond classroom integration, Sanford offers a wide range of technology-focused courses and electives, including:
- AP Computer Science A (Java programming, data structures, algorithms)
- Engineering (CAD design, prototyping, and real-world challenges such as the DelDOT Bridge Competition)
- Statistics & Data Science (analyzing large data sets, coding, and visualization)
- Digital Media & Design (Animation, Graphic Design, Videography, Music Technology, Yearbook)
- Applied Skills (Financial Literacy, Woodworking, Adulting 101)
Whether working independently on their own devices, collaborating in the Pirnie STEM Lab, or experimenting in the art and music studios, Sanford students learn to see technology not just as a tool but as a pathway to innovation. By graduation, they leave as skilled creators, critical thinkers, and problem solvers, ready for the challenges of college and the careers of tomorrow.