UC Irvine Faculty, OCEAN and Teacher Academy Administrators Join Monroe Elementary for STEAM and Project Lead the Way Program Launches
By Sam Bersola
February 24, 2025
February 24, 2025
Andres Bustamante (right)
On February 12, 2025, faculty and administrators from the UC Irvine School of Education joined educators from Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties at Monroe Elementary School for the launch of its STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) and Project Lead the Way (PLTW) programs.
The event highlighted Monroe’s innovative approach to project-based learning and literacy through Spanish dual immersion. Monroe’s Principal Fernando Durán and Science Teacher Jesús Silva shared the school’s PLTW journey which has earned them both a Distinguished Award and a California PBIS Platinum Award for positive behavioral interventions and support. Principal Duran also expressed excitement about Monroe’s new University-Assisted Community School (UACS) partnership with UC Irvine's School of Education.
Andres Bustamante and Symone Gyles, professors and directors of Orange County Educational Advancement Network (OCEAN), engaged with students in Monroe’s Discover Lab, where young scientists proudly showcased their projects. "It was amazing to see the innovative work of the students at Monroe and listen to them share their knowledge and expertise through their science projects,” said Gyles. “The Monroe team is already engaging their students in hands-on STEAM learning, and I am excited to support these efforts through the UACS partnership to explore ways to expand community-based science learning."
The event highlighted Monroe’s innovative approach to project-based learning and literacy through Spanish dual immersion. Monroe’s Principal Fernando Durán and Science Teacher Jesús Silva shared the school’s PLTW journey which has earned them both a Distinguished Award and a California PBIS Platinum Award for positive behavioral interventions and support. Principal Duran also expressed excitement about Monroe’s new University-Assisted Community School (UACS) partnership with UC Irvine's School of Education.
Andres Bustamante and Symone Gyles, professors and directors of Orange County Educational Advancement Network (OCEAN), engaged with students in Monroe’s Discover Lab, where young scientists proudly showcased their projects. "It was amazing to see the innovative work of the students at Monroe and listen to them share their knowledge and expertise through their science projects,” said Gyles. “The Monroe team is already engaging their students in hands-on STEAM learning, and I am excited to support these efforts through the UACS partnership to explore ways to expand community-based science learning."
Nicole Gilbertson
Also in attendance were Sam Bersola, UC Irvine School of Education Executive Director of Strategic Initiatives and External Relations; Nicole Gilbertson, director of the UCI Teacher Academy; and Jon Kovach, director of the UCI Science Project. They toured classrooms where students and teachers demonstrated how integrating STEAM in both Spanish and English enhance access, equity, academic vocabulary development, and overall student engagement.
“Seeing students share their learning through writing, presentations, and hands-on learning activities was inspiring,” said Gilbertson. “I felt their enthusiasm for science, from preschoolers’ excitement about healthy habits to fifth graders’ engineering experiments creating water filters. I am thrilled to be part of this new partnership with Monroe Elementary educators and students.”
The collaboration between Monroe Elementary and UC Irvine marks an exciting step in fostering high-quality, bilingual STEAM education, expanding learning opportunities, and strengthening university-community partnerships.
“Seeing students share their learning through writing, presentations, and hands-on learning activities was inspiring,” said Gilbertson. “I felt their enthusiasm for science, from preschoolers’ excitement about healthy habits to fifth graders’ engineering experiments creating water filters. I am thrilled to be part of this new partnership with Monroe Elementary educators and students.”
The collaboration between Monroe Elementary and UC Irvine marks an exciting step in fostering high-quality, bilingual STEAM education, expanding learning opportunities, and strengthening university-community partnerships.
