INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) on Monday announced 19 schools are newly certified as leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.
This year’s cohort includes the largest number of secondary schools to engage in the certification process to date, as well as a new designation highlighting emerging STEM programs and leaders and the strides they are making to create an engaging STEM culture.
Warsaw Community Schools’ Edgewood Middle School is one of the schools that earned STEM certification.
"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 Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana secretary of education. “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.
Each of these schools completed a rigorous application and review process, which must be repeated every five years to remain certified.
