Science and Education Publishing American Journal of Educational Research 2333-4770 2 10 2014 10 29 Curriculum Shift: Innovative Teaching and Learning through STEM Initiatives 970 974 EN Kimberly Barcelona Winthrop Elementary School, New London Public Schools, New London CT, United States of America EDUCATION201421018 10.12691/education-2-10-18 2013 08 27 2014 10 23 2014 10 29 Today, we live in an ever-changing global society. The task of schools continues to go through changes that must help students analyze situations, problem solve, and make informed decisions. The basic goal and purpose of education has changed dramatically, as has the complexity of the learning task. Economic needs in our global workforce require that schools prepare students with more than the basic memorization of facts. Students must have the ability to understand numerous variables and process data in efficient and effective ways. In order to meet the needs of 21st century learners, the New London Public School system in Connecticut adopted new ways of thinking about the structure of its schools. This paper discusses how the New London Public School system as changed the traditional views of school structure and the process necessary to achieve innovative teaching institutions.