Colonel Smith Middle School

Built for STEM

Colonel Smith Middle School (CSMS), located on the active Fort Huachuca military base, is designed and built to support the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) curriculum with hands-on experience around the campus. The District's vision for the new CSMS instructional program includes a STEM curriculum driven by innovative technology appropriately differentiated in each grade level. Technology is in the hands of all students using hand-held electronic devices with access through a wireless system accessible throughout the entire site. The hot spot or nerve centers for each grade level are in the facility's collaboration area, while the research commons serves as a shared resource for investigation and exploration. Instructional delivery methods put heavy emphasis on project-based, interdisciplinary instruction that stresses real-world problem-solving and experimentation in a collaborative environment.

All indoor and outdoor spaces are available for learning. Entry to the school site and all areas of the building are designed to create interest, curiosity and learning opportunities for students. Informational kiosks welcome students and visitors to the site. The kiosks, designed by CSMS students, include information about the building, site and local geography, as well as inspiring quotes that reflect the CSMS philosophy. Operations of the school are designed to reflect environmental awareness and learning. Exterior learning spaces are located on the east and west and include areas for the study of environmental & biological science, gardening insights, optical astronomy, pollinators and astronomy and the spring/autumn equinox.