MSE Designated Gold STEAM School

Miami Springs Elementary has been awarded a Gold STEAM Designation.

The school posted the following message on social media:

Gold Once Again! 🌟

We’re proud to share that our school has once again earned the GOLD STEAM designation! 🏅💡 This honor reflects the creativity, hard work, and teamwork of our students, staff, and families.

👏 Thank you for helping us lead the way in STEAM excellence year after year!

We’d like to congratulate the students, parents, teachers, and administration at Miami Springs Elementary for reaching this high level standard for the school.

What is STEAM

STEAM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics:

• Science – Understanding the natural world through observation, experiments, and analysis.

• Technology – Using tools, machines, and digital resources to solve problems and create solutions.

• Engineering – Designing, building, and testing structures, systems, and processes.

• Arts – Encouraging creativity, design thinking, and innovation through visual, performing, and digital arts.

• Mathematics – Applying logic, patterns, and quantitative reasoning to understand and solve problems.

What Does It Mean?

According to Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M‑DCPS), schools are evaluated using a comprehensive rubric that includes:

• Integration, operations, and academic performance measures (e.g., how deeply STEAM is woven across grades and subjects, quality of course offerings, teacher training, and external partnerships).

• Teacher professional development: At least 40% of teachers must engage in STEAM-focused training—60% yields maximum points.

• Partnerships: A minimum of two community, business, or post-secondary collaborations are required.

• Student involvement: Participation in science fairs, competitions, and showcases is essential.

• Arts involvement: Inclusion of visual and performing arts activities, exhibitions, or course offerings depending on school level.

• Academic accountability and equity: Schools must either improve student performance in science and math by at least three percentage points or maintain at least 40% of students scoring at Level 3 or above on state assessments. The performance of minority and economically disadvantaged students must match or exceed that of their peers.

Schools are assigned one of four designations—Participant, Bronze, Silver, or Gold—based on total points accrued against these criteria. A Gold designation indicates a school has met or surpassed the highest thresholds across integration, operational excellence, and academic equity.

Real-World Example

Lake County Schools in Florida illustrate this in practice:

• Elementary schools must implement STEAM lessons across all grade levels, form STEAM Bowl teams, participate in science and engineering fairs, and host a STEAM family night.

• Middle and high schools require participation in math competitions, science fairs at higher levels, and also hosting family STEAM events. Schools that fulfill all of these expectations receive a Gold STEAM status, while those meeting most but not all earn Silver.

Why It Matters

Achieving Gold STEAM Designation signals that a school:

• Provides top-quality STEAM education, with integration of arts alongside STEM disciplines.

• Supports teacher growth and community partnerships in STEAM.

• Encourages student engagement through competitions, exhibitions, and real-world learning.

• Demonstrates academic excellence and equity, with strong state assessment results across all student groups.

It’s a badge of honor and a strong indicator of a school’s commitment to preparing students for success in college, career, and life.