Case Study: Shorewood Elementary boosts STEAM engagement with SAM Labs

Making STEAM Lessons the Highlight of the Week

Shorewood Elementary in the Highline School District, where 4th-grade teacher Sarah Gerhardt teaches, wanted a better way to engage students and help them understand the real-world value of what they were learning. One of the biggest challenges was supporting a high population of language learners while also connecting STEAM content to other subjects. Shorewood Elementary used SAM Labs STEAM Kit with SAM Studio to address these needs.

With SAM Labs, Sarah was able to deliver hands-on STEAM lessons that integrated language, coding, computer science, and art into one experience. The lessons helped students make cross-curricular connections, boosted engagement, and made learning feel fun and relevant; Sarah also noted that the activities fostered a more inclusive classroom community and challenged gender stereotypes. While no specific numeric results were provided, the case study reports that SAM Labs made STEAM lessons the “highlight of the week” and helped Sarah maximize instructional time.

Shorewood Elementary

Sarah Gerhardt

Teacher