Gary elementary schools Beveridge and the Glen Park Academy are among 19 Indiana schools to become STEM certified by the state.
The Indiana Department of Education announced a list of the new STEM schools this week.
In addition, the state provided a new designation to eight schools, including Hammond Central and Hammond Morton high schools, for demonstrating significant progress in creating an engaging STEM culture.
Beveridge and the Glen Park Academy join Bailly STEM Academy with their certifications in science, technology, engineering and math.
The district will celebrate their accomplishments in “An Evening of STEM,” from 5 to 7 p.m. May 23 at Bailly, 4621 Georgia St.
“Proud only begins to describe how we feel over earning two additional STEM Certifications,” said GCSC Manager 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.”
In addition to classroom work, she said students have other opportunities including field trips, job shadowing, guest speakers and competitions.
Each school completed a rigorous application and review process, which must be repeated every five years to remain certified.
Established in 2015, Indiana’s STEM program is based on teaching disciplines beyond the classroom. More than 100 schools hold the certification across the state.
State officials said the program represents a good deal of inquiry, project-based learning, community engagement, entrepreneurship, and more.
“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,” said state Secretary of Education Katie Jenner in a release.
Carole Carlson is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
