Five MCCSC schools now certified
The Monroe County Community School Corporation has announced that Lakeview Elementary School is one of 16 schools in the 2024-25 school year to earn the prestigious STEM Certification from the Indiana Department of Education (IDOE). Lakeview joins four other MCCSC schools that are STEM certified:
- Grandview Elementary School (2021-2026)
- Unionville Elementary School (2024-2029)
- Batchelor Middle School (2022-2027)
- The Academy of Science and Entrepreneurship (2023-2028)
- Lakeview Elementary School (2025-2030)
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.
“This certification reflects our commitment to hands-on STEM opportunities that inspire students to see themselves as future innovators and problem-solvers,” said MCCSC Superintendent Dr. Markay Winston. “While STEM is incorporated into elementary and secondary curricula at all MCCSC schools, we are exceptionally proud of our schools that have undertaken this rigorous statewide certification process.”
Certification required an extensive application process and many hours of preparation for site visits, interviews with teachers and students, and the creation of a portfolio website.
There are many examples of how Lakeview students are engaged in STEM learning in grades K-6. Computer science is one strong component of Lakeview’s STEM toolkit. Students learn block coding to develop foundational skills in computational thinking and problem-solving through robotics and other hands-on computing applications. Lakeview students have a history of competing in the Nextech CSforGood computer science competition. In 2023, Lakeview fifth grade students won first place for their “Friendship Finder” app to help new students make friends. Since 2015, Lakeview has hosted STEM nights that showcase student learning through innovative coding and robotics projects.
For more information about Lakeview Elementary’s STEM programming and certification, visit the school’s STEM certification website.