INSPIRE: Infusing Innovative STEM Practices Into Rigorous Education

INSPIRE is a K-12 STEM magnet school pipeline program implemented in Cabarrus County Schools serving nearly 30,000 students in 39 schools. The program uses problem-based learning (PBL) as the core of curriculum redesign, integrating PBL units across all courses to enable students to explore the same issue in every subject with real-world connections. Key strategies include: (1) developing rigorous PBL curriculum units connected across all subjects, (2) designing STEM instructional practices that connect PBL content to tech-enabled personalized learning through digital content integration and 1:1 technological devices, (3) creating high-quality teacher development and support through STEM Coaches, STEMersion, Innovation Showcase, and Curriculum Review Week, and (4) amalgamating real-world student tethers through NASA summer camp, student competitions, field trips, and quarterly STEM events. The program serves elementary (grades K-5), middle (grades 6-8), and high school (grades 9-12) students in STEM magnet schools.