This week, the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) announced 19 schools are newly certified as leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. Among them are Glen Park Academy for Excellence in Learning and Beveridge Elementary of the Gary Community School Corporation.
"Proud only begins to describe how we feel over earning two additional STEM Certifications,” said GCSC Manager Dr. Paige McNulty. “The faculty, staff and students worked hard to reach this milestone, and it is another great example of what effective teamwork looks like.” We are committed to delivering a robust, STEM-focused curriculum in the classroom while offering unique STEM opportunities for students through field trips, job shadowing, guest speakers, competitions and more."
In honor of the STEM designations, the District will host “An Evening of STEM” Tuesday, May 23rd from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Bailly STEM Academy, 4621 Georgia St. in Gary. The community is invited to attend. Bailly STEM Academy, which is a middle school in the district in Gary, is also a STEM-Certified by the State of Indiana.
Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education, indicated that STEM experiences play a critical role in the educational development of students.
"The schools we spotlight today have demonstrated a commitment to providing high-quality, engaging STEM experiences that not only support students in developing problem-solving skills, but also prepare them for careers in emerging industries,” said Jenner. “As careers in STEM fields continue to drive our state’s economy, our role is to ensure every Hoosier student has access to high-quality STEM curriculum needed to meet both current and future demands.”
Created in 2015, the STEM Certification program recognizes schools committed to teaching STEM disciplines beyond the classroom. STEM Certification exemplifies a highly innovative approach to education, employing a great deal of inquiry, project-based learning, community engagement, entrepreneurship, student-centered classrooms, integration into humanities and related arts, and out-of-school STEM activities.
For secondary schools in particular, earning STEM certification requires heightened intention and coordination in terms of vision, scheduling, and interdisciplinary collaboration. More than 100 schools statewide hold STEM Certification.
This year’s schools that have newly earned STEM Certification are:
- Ben Davis Ninth Grade Center, MSD of Wayne Township
- Beveridge Elementary School, Gary Community School Corporation
- Canaan Community Academy
- Eastern High School, East Washington School Corporation
- Edgewood Middle School, Warsaw Community Schools
- Glen Park Academy, Gary Community School Corporation
- Graham Creek Elementary, Jennings County School Corporation
- Jasper High School, Greater Jasper Consolidated School Corporation
- Loogootee Middle School, Loogootee Community School Corporation
- Memorial Park Middle School, Fort Wayne Community Schools
- Mount Vernon High School, MSD of Mount Vernon
- Mount Vernon Junior High School, MSD of Mount Vernon
- South Ripley Junior High School, South Ripley Community Schools
- Union City Junior/Senior High School, Randolph Eastern Community School Corporation
- Washington High School, Washington Community Schools
- Weisser Park Elementary, Fort Wayne Community Schools
- Wes-Del Elementary School, Wes-Del Community School Corporation
- Wes-Del Middle/High School, Wes-Del Community School Corporation
Each of these schools completed a rigorous application and review process, which must be repeated every five years to remain certified.
View a complete list of Indiana STEM Certified schools here. Schools interested in pursuing STEM Certification can review the guidance here.