Southern Indiana Business Report
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Department of Education announced 20 schools are newly certified as leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education. Thursday’s announcement also included schools that renewed their certification and are making strides to create a strong STEM curriculum.
The list included a number of schools from the Radius Indiana region.
Paoli Junior and Senior High School and Throop Elementary School, both part of the Paoli Community School Corporation, were among schools that have newly earned their STEM certification.
Loogootee High School was one of four schools that completed a rigorous application and review process, which must be repeated every five years to remain STEM certified.
In 2023, a new designation was added to highlight schools that have demonstrated significant progress in creating an engaging STEM culture and empowering students to create and innovate through integrated STEM learning experiences. Two schools from the Radius region – Linton-Stockton Elementary and Salem Middle School were designated as Developing in STEM Certification.
“STEM certified schools are committed to providing high-quality, engaging 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. “Ensuring every student in Indiana can meet the challenges and opportunities of a constantly evolving workforce begins with high-quality STEM education, and these schools are leaning in to meet the needs of Hoosier students.”
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.
View a complete list of Indiana STEM Certified schools here. Schools interested in pursuing STEM Certification can review the guidance here.