Vanderlyn's STEM vision is to create an inclusive STEM learning community that empowers students to excel in the 21st century by fostering skills in critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration in order to inspire our students to become confident and capable problem solvers as they grow as lifelong learners.

Vanderlyn's STEM mission is to provide students with hands-on learning experiences in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics by connecting classroom experiences to real-world STEM careers while partnering with parents and community stakeholders to support student growth and success.

The Vanderlyn STEM Program all-inclusive because we believe all of our students should be exposed to the rigor of STEM education in order to compete in a global society and to be college and career ready. We have implemented the Advanced Content Model of Instruction to allow teachers to facilitate student engagement, arouse student questioning, guide students through the problem-solving process, and to plan projects that center on student interest as they learn to ask and answer questions about real-life topics. Problem based-learning (PBL) is used to support the Advanced Content Model of Instruction. Units begin with a driving, real-world question which requires students to apply the rigor of science, technology, engineering and mathematics content through the Engineering Design Process.

At Vanderlyn, we have standards of practice and processes that guide instruction and define the behaviors of a STEM proficient student. Our focus is to prepare students for success in the real world. As a result, we have taken STEM a step further and integrated the components of problem-based learning (PBL). PBL units still incorporate the guiding principles of STEM education but place a greater emphasis on the utilization of 21st century learning skills. For example, in a STEM/PBL classroom students use prior knowledge and research skills while engaging in higher order thinking activities; teachers encourage work that is complex and draws on the full range of students’ abilities; and creativity and originality are fostered. Most importantly, this type of learning supports the 4C’s: critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity.