Maryland Grade 6 STEM Program

From answers to evidence, design & defense.

A 64-mission learning journey that integrates mathematics, science, engineering, data literacy, coding, robotics, environmental systems, and responsible AI—culminating in Project AURORA.

Visual evidence chain from mathematics and science through data, coding, and Project AURORA.

64 missions. One coherent progression.

Students build foundations first, then apply them in increasingly authentic systems and design challenges.

1–16Quantitative + Algebraic Foundations
17–32Geometry, Fabrication + Data
33–48Scientific + Environmental Systems
49–56Coding, Robotics + Responsible AI
57–64 · Project AURORA
Requirements → prototype → autonomy → evidence fusion → final defense
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Evidence before polishStudents defend the requirement → test → revision → recommendation chain.
64Sequential missions
8Learning strands
428Student publication pages
40 ptsAURORA defense framework
Maryland alignment documented
Student + Teacher editions
School implementation resources
Responsible AI verification
A complete learning system

Rigor you can see in student work.

Every mission asks students to make thinking visible through models, calculations, evidence, testing, revision, and explanation.

01

Build strong foundations

Quantitative reasoning, algebraic modeling, geometry, data, and scientific habits are developed before the most complex design work.

02

Test and revise

Failed tests, unusual data, debugging, limitations, and tradeoffs are treated as evidence—not something to hide.

03

Defend decisions

Students learn to connect claims to evidence and defend engineering choices, including the limits of what they know.

64-mission architecture

Eight strands. Increasing independence.

1–8

Quantitative Foundations

Operations, fractions, decimals, ratios, rates, percent.

9–16

Algebra & Modeling

Variables, equations, inequalities, coordinates, patterns.

17–24

Geometry & Fabrication

Measurement, area, surface area, volume, fabrication.

25–32

Data & Evidence

Statistics, sampling, probability, claims, uncertainty.

33–40

Scientific Discovery

Investigations, matter, energy, forces, CER, systems.

41–48

Earth & Environment

Watersheds, ecosystems, Chesapeake Bay, sustainability.

49–56

Coding, Robotics & AI

Algorithms, sensors, debugging, safe autonomy, AI checks.

57–64

Project AURORA

Requirements, prototype, autonomous mission, final defense.

The mission cycle

A familiar structure that gradually releases responsibility.

1Launch
2Learn & Model
3Guided Practice
4NOVA Challenge
5Independent Check
6Portfolio & Reflection
Project AURORA

The capstone is an evidence defense—not a showcase only.

Students define a real need, create measurable requirements, build an integrated system, test prototypes and autonomous logic, reconcile evidence, review AI-supported recommendations, and defend a final decision.

Explore Project AURORA
“I can show why it works, test it, improve it, and defend it.”

The program’s final standard is traceable evidence from problem → requirement → design → test → revision → recommendation.

Preview the publication set

See what students and teachers actually use.

PDF · 1 page

Program Brochure

A concise school-facing overview of the 64-mission architecture, Project AURORA, and classroom publication package.

Open brochure
PDF · 12 pages

Sample / Preview Edition

Representative student experiences from quantitative reasoning through AURORA, including actual tasks and evidence prompts.

Open preview
PowerPoint · 12 slides

School Presentation

A concise overview for principals, teacher teams, partners, and program-review meetings.

Open deck

Ready to explore a school pilot?

Start with the preview, review the standards alignment, and discuss the implementation model that fits your setting.

Ready to explore?

See what students actually do.

Open the sample edition, explore the 64-mission architecture, or start a conversation about a school pilot.

A practical path to adoption

Preview → discuss → pilot.

Schools can begin with a small, evidence-focused implementation conversation rather than committing to the full program immediately.

1

Preview

Review the sample edition, curriculum explorer, and teacher supports.

2

Discuss fit

Choose a classroom, STEM block, enrichment, intervention/extension, or after-school model.

3

Plan a pilot

Define scope, evidence to collect, teacher support, materials, and review checkpoints.