INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Department of Education (IDOE) today 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.
“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.
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
This year’s schools that have renewed STEM Certification for an additional five years are:
- Barker Middle School, Michigan City Area Schools
- Helfrich Park STEM Academy, Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation
- Kennedy Academy, South Bend Community School Corporation
- Maconaquah Elementary School, Maconaquah School Corporation
- The Academy of Science and Entrepreneurship, Monroe County Community School Corporation
Each of these schools completed a rigorous application and review process, which must be repeated every five years to remain certified.
A new designation has been added this year to highlight schools which have demonstrated significant progress in creating an engaging STEM culture and empowering students to create and innovate through integrated STEM learning experiences. Schools designated as Developing in STEM Certification are:
- Cherry Tree Elementary School, Carmel Clay Schools
- Hammond Central High School, School City of Hammond
- Kingsford Heights Elementary School, LaPorte Community School Corporation
- Lynhurst Seventh and Eighth Grade Center, MSD of Wayne Township
- Milan High School, Milan Community Schools
- Morton Senior High School, School City of Hammond
- North Decatur Junior/Senior High School, Decatur County Community Schools
- Our Lady of Grace Catholic School
Each of these schools are continuing to establish infrastructure for sustainable, high-quality STEM education and will receive intentional, strategic support from IDOE as they progress toward STEM Certification.
View a complete list of Indiana STEM Certified schools here. Schools interested in pursuing STEM Certification can review the guidance here.