Olimpico Foundational Education
In-person and e-Learning
Olimpico Learning incorporates daily reading, writing, and math to ensure students improve the literacy and mathematical skills necessary for communication and computation. Alongside this, we provide STEAM focused activities to advance scientific and problem-solving knowledge. By developing these essential skills, Olimpico Learning offers the resources necessary for a long-term, educational impact on students, families, and the greater community.
BiologyLearn about ecosystems, animal habitats and adaptations through hands-on engaging activities and projects. Students collaborate to create a digital story embedding narrations, photos and illustrations to share their learning of the science of life.
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EcologyInvestigate the importance of the 3 R’s, Recycle, Reduce and Reuse, using an inquiry-based approach. Students will use the Engineering Design Process to repurpose/invent a usable product from recyclable materials.
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AstronomyThe Solar System is the home of many ice worlds. Examine the importance of water in the form of ice in the Solar System and examine the origin of Earth's water. Discover how ancient civilizations were influenced by astronomy and how it shaped the world we all live in today.
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ChefologyTravel the globe without leaving the classroom and learn about the science and math of cooking! Explore and learn about various international cultures and cuisines by working as a team to chop, mix, knead and roll your way to delicious creations.
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Olimpico Academic Program
Our academic program provides students with integrated learning experiences that revolve around a weekly science-based theme. The Olimpico Learning curriculum offers an enriching learning environment integrating language arts, math, science and art through hands-on projects and group activities that build academic skills. Each week, students are introduced to a new scientific topic and encouraged to engage in hands-on and project based learning, science exploration, and art activities. Interaction with technology-based projects immerses students in project based learning and prompts a fascination with new and advances topics. Each year we select four themes from our set of 12 science-based curriculum topics and implement lessons surrounding one of these chosen themes each week.
Olimpico STEAM Workshops
Interactive STEAM workshops engage students in exploring design thinking processes, visual art and fundamental concepts of computer science and problem-solving. Through multidisciplinary activities, students will learn the fundamentals of 3D modeling, computational thinking, visual programming, and product design. Students are provided with digital tools to practice and reinforce content learning, all of which are aligned with the Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards. Students will interact with visiting Silicon Valley design professionals in hands-on activities and projects where they will generate solutions through brainstorming, group collaboration, project design, project planning and implementation, peer reviews and critiques.
Weekly Science Themes
Agriculture
Our writing, digital publishing, and STEAM curriculum:
We achieve this by:
Agriculture
- Students learn how food arrives on their tables and what it takes to cultivate crops! Students will explore the differences between organic and conventional farming, grow their own beans, and learn how to support organic farms.
- Students learn the importance of frames in an animation and process of filming
- Students learn about the different components of space and what it takes to become an astronaut! Students will research the solar system, discover the differences between planets, and understand how ancient civilizations were influenced by astronomy.
- Learn about the natural world, animals, and plants during biology week! One project students will participate in is collaborating with their peers to create a digital story by embedding narrations, photos, and illustrations to share their knowledge of the science of life.
- Travel the globe to learn about the science and math of cooking during chefology week! Students will explore a balanced diet and discover various international cultures and cuisines by working as a team to chop, mix, knead, and roll their way to delicious creations.
- Investigate ecosystems and the differences between producers, decomposers, and consumers during ecology week! Students will learn about reducing, reusing, and recycling, and will use the Engineering Design Process to invent a usable product from recyclable materials.
- Students learn what engineers do to solve problems that may arise in the society.
- Explore how to live a balanced and sustainable lifestyle during health week! By discovering the importance of a nutritious diet, daily exercise, and a stable sleep schedule, students will understand how to keep themselves happy and safe.
- Survey the atmosphere and learn about how people predict weather during meteorology week! Students will learn about the temperature, different types of weather, staying safe during a natural disaster, and how to identify different types of clouds.
- Dive deep into the water and explore the different components of oceans during oceanography week! By learning about different types of marine life, the flow of currents in the water, and the five different oceans across the globe, students will become oceanography experts.
- Students will learn about the human body! By creating model lungs and replicating how the heart pumps blood, students will learn about how body systems keep them alive.
- Discover the hidden traits and behaviors of animals during zoology week! Students will learn about adaptations, habitats, and what animals need to survive, and will create projects like camouflaging butterflies and model zoos.
Our writing, digital publishing, and STEAM curriculum:
- reading
- writing
- speaking
- listening
- digital storytelling
- presentation skills
- creativity
- collaboration
- informative, opinion, and narrative writing components
- differentiated math instruction
- a balance between skill development and mastery of major math concepts
- customized learning based on the student’s needs
- labs in design thinking, visual art, 3D modeling and computer programming
We achieve this by:
- leading with social and emotional skill building
- equipping teachers and volunteers with intensive training
- tracking data, evaluating, measuring improvements, and evolving continuously
ReadingStudents use their reading knowledge to follow instructions on how to build robots
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WritingStudents practice scientific writing by describing their designs and write about solar ovens to make S'mores
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MathStudents develop math skills and use them to understand 3D modeling
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