Culture
At Irwin STEM Magnet School, celebrating learning is woven into the fabric of our culture. We believe in honoring the journey of discovery and growth for every student. Our celebrations highlight milestones, showcase achievements and inspire our community to continue learning together.
Celebration of Learning
Celebration of Learning at Irwin STEM Magnet School is a showcase where students demonstrate their academic growth, critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration through meaningful projects and performances. This embodies our commitment to a culture of learning, where every student, teacher and community member is a lifelong learner.
At Irwin, we celebrate learning to:
Reinforce that learning is a lifelong process.Recognize and honor individual and group achievements.Inspire curiosity and encourage continued exploration.Strengthen the bond between school, family and community.Foster a positive culture where students see themselves as capable, resilient learners who can make a difference.
Weekly Traditions
Blast Off - Every Monday morning, all Irwin students report to the gym to participate in "Blast Off," a weekly tradition designed to encourage self-confidence, camaraderie and motivation to help students prepare for the week of learning ahead. Students often begin with singing a song, listening to some encouraging words from Dr. Brandon Foster and cheer on their teachers as they compete in a fun challenge.
Quarterly Showcases
Kindergarten Plant Life Cycle Project - Students decorate their own flower pots, plant seeds, and care for their plants while documenting progress in digital journals with photos and observations. The project also includes a group activity, “Growing the Best Plant Possible,” where students experiment with optimal growing conditions. Through this engaging project, children learn about the plant life cycle, practice responsibility, and develop skills in observation, collaboration, and creativity.
Fifth Grade Water Conservation Campaigns - This project challenges students to address the critical issue of global water scarcity through innovative and actionable solutions. Students design water filters to demonstrate practical ways to purify water, develop strategies to reduce pollution and create civic engagement campaigns that promote awareness and conservation. By presenting their ideas, students build problem-solving, teamwork and communication skills while gaining a deeper understanding of the importance of protecting our planet’s water resources.
Community Connections
Veterans Day - Each year, Irwin holds a special program to honor local veterans by treating them to breakfast, giving gifts of gratitude, offering makeup touch ups and haircuts. Students invite a veteran in their life to be celebrated and allow them the opportunity to tell their story. Administrative Assistant and Air Force Veteran Kasey Carr started this tradition in 2013. Since then, it's grown into a huge event that multiple community businesses donate to, usually raising over $5,000 every year for the event through donors. In 2024, Ms. Carr donated a painting to Irwin (see below) that represents how STEM skills are vital to military success.
The worlds of the military and STEM careers are deeply connected, as both fields require critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation. Many military roles depend on advanced technology, engineering, and data science, demanding expertise in areas like robotics, cybersecurity and communications. I wanted to have a picture painted that can hang in Irwin forever that represents this connection. From engineers designing secure systems and scientists developing life-saving medical technology, to technicians ensuring the precision of complex machinery. Together, these fields drive forward the mission of defense, exploration and advancement both on and off the battlefield, showcasing how STEM skills are essential to modern military success and the evolving landscape of national security.
- Kasey Carr, Administrative Assistant and Air Force Veteran
Field Trips
Students connect classroom lessons to real-world experiences, such as visiting local attractions and participating in conservation initiatives.Guest Speakers and Virtual Field Trips: Professionals and experts share insights, inspiring students to think critically about their future.
S'mores Night
S’mores Night & Book Swap is an annual tradition where Irwin families come together to enjoy the cozy glow of the fire, the sweet smell of melting marshmallows and the excitement of sharing our favorite reads.
Gather around the fire with loved ones, roast marshmallows to golden perfection, and build the ultimate s’more while swapping books with fellow community members. Whether you’re discovering a new favorite story or passing along a cherished book, this event is a wonderful way to celebrate the joy of reading and the warmth of togetherness.
