Southmont Schools are proud to announce that all three of their elementary schools, Ladoga, New Market and Walnut Elementary, as well as Southmont Junior High School were awarded the prestigious STEM certification by the Indiana Department of Education as leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Created in 2015, the STEM Certified Schools program recognizes schools focused on a commitment to teaching STEM disciplines beyond the classroom. STEM Certified Schools exemplify a highly non-traditional 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. Each school completed a rigorous application, designed websites with evidence of learning and created presentations to share with the Indiana Department of Education representatives during a recent site visit. Student leaders had the opportunity to share with state department visitors samples of their learning and why they believed STEM certifications should be awarded.
Southmont Schools recently added the Purdue IN Mac Design & Innovation Studios to their facilities. STEM & Computer Science teacher leaders Tyler Davis, Tim Sayler and Sharon Albertson use their labs and equipment to ensure students have a learning environment for computer coding, 3-D printing, circuitry, robotics and more. The focus on STEM has even carried over into Language Arts and all content areas. Led by a group of forward-thinking school principals Alison Karrfalt, Kristin Paris, Jill Pinkerton and Brooke Busenbark, this work has been a team effort by all elementary and junior high teachers, counselors and staff members.
“We are incredibly proud of the hard work by our principals, teachers and students,” said Assistant Superintendent Wendy Myers. “We have witnessed student engagement in STEM learning that has sparked curiosity, community involvement and amazing new opportunities for our kids. We are also grateful for the partnership we have with the STEM Learning team at EES Innovation. Their staff provided us with expert guidance, an outstanding curriculum, and many behind-the-scenes hours supporting our STEM framework.”
Newly appointed Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Hofer said, “I am proud to join a district with K-8 STEM certified schools. This award signifies that Southmont Schools are doing a wonderful job of preparing our students for college and career readiness in the area of STEM.”
Southmont Schools celebrated with their students across the district during the last hour of the school day. They will hold their STEM certification until they re-apply again with the Indiana Department of Education in 2029.
