Science and Math Institute

Demographics

Percentage of students*

Why Science and Math Institute was nominated

It's one of the most innovative schools I've seen. It's located in the Tacoma Zoo, runs its own fish hatchery with the Native peoples of Port Defiance, and runs its own daycare center. Place-based; full inclusion; experiential education; innovative district context; workforce experience. Place-based science and math (STEM) school situated in the largest city park in Washington along the Puget Sound, the Tacoma Zoo, and a UW-affiliated Marine Science Center, where students make use of all these resources to engage in real-world, place-based learning. The school's mission is to partner with students, families, and the community to provide a rigorous, interdisciplinary, and student-centered learning environment that fosters a passion for science, math, and the arts. SAMI's curriculum is designed to integrate students' learning around their passions, allowing them to understand the relevance of their work in every discipline. The school is located at Point Defiance Park, where students have the opportunity to study amidst natural old-growth forests, saltwater beaches, and spectacular views, with endless possibilities for recreation, hands-on learning, and science and math education. SAMI students also take classes at the marine center, zoo, and aquarium as part of their normal schedule, as well as in classrooms and labs built in and around the natural forest and marine facilities. The school's vision emphasizes community and empathy, with a focus on developing students' leadership potential and encouraging them to continually put themselves in someone else's shoes and seek new ways of approaching a problem. The Science and Math Institute (SAMi) is located in Point Defiance Park and within the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, Washington. SAMI’s location in a real-world setting is designed to bring learning to life, with a focus on math as well as the natural and physical sciences. In addition to place-based learning, students participate in the Next Move internships program for real work experience and school credit. Students also have many opportunities for voice and choice (e.g., selecting a major, exploring interests during mini- and micro-terms) and deep relationship-building through an advisory structure called Mentor Peer Groups. SAMI embodies exactly the kind of innovative, student-centered learning environments that the Canopy Project seeks to highlight. SAMI’s fully integrated, place-based STEM model—rooted in 702 acres of old-growth forest, waterfront access in Point Defiance Park, and in partnership with the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium and Parks Tacoma—transforms traditional schooling into a dynamic ecosystem of inquiry, service, and community connection. The school’s six pathways (marine science; marine technology & robotics; computer science; veterinary science & animal life; outdoor education; conservation science) ensure that every student engages in rigorous content, hands-on learning, and a meaningful internship that connects to post–high school readiness. SAMI’s commitment to equity, full inclusion of all learners, student leadership, and mentor-group continuity exemplifies an environment built for all students, especially those historically under-served. Their interdisciplinary miniterm service projects, authentic community partnerships, and pathways of real-world relevance reflect Canopy’s emphasis on reimagined, empowering learning environments that are responsive to students’ strengths, aspirations, and communities. Nomination of SAMI would spotlight a school that is not only preparing graduates for college and career, but also cultivating curiosity, collaboration, empathy, and agency in learners ready to thrive in a complex world.

Student experience design

SAMI is a science and math-focused, placed-based school located at Point Defiance Park, Zoo, and Aquarium. The curriculum is centered around pathways in the life and physical sciences and is rooted in mentorship, career-connected learning, and project-based learning.

Core Practices

Core Practices	Length of Use
Community And Workforce Partnerships	5+ years
Competency/mastery-based Education	1-2 years
Internships	5+ years
Project-based Learning	5+ years
SEL Curriculum	5+ years

All Practices

Student Advisories

AI For Teacher Productivity

Anti-racist Practices

Apprenticeships

Assessments For Agency And Self-directed Learning

Assessments For Career Readiness

Career Exploration

Co-leadership

College Advising & Support

Family And Community Support Services

Disaggregated Data On Student Participation

Early College High School

Flexible Staffing & Alternative Teaching Roles

Grading Policies Focus On Mastery

All Courses Designed For Inclusion

Industry-recognized Credentials

Educators Have Industry Experience

Industry-aligned Learning Pathways

Interoperable Data From Multiple Technologies

Individual Learner Profiles

Individual Learning Paths

Multi-tiered System Of Support (MTSS) In Academics

Multi-age Classrooms

Industry Networking

No Tracked Classes

Peer To Peer Support

High Quality Instructional Materials

Restorative Practices

Student-led Conferences

Students Develop Projects

Universal Design For Learning

Career Prep

key reasons for innovating