5 county schools, Cleveland High named Tennessee STEM Schools
Five Hamilton County Schools are among 22 schools statewide awarded the Tennessee STEM School Designation for 2020, according to a recent announcement by the Tennessee Department of Education.
Red Bank Elementary, Harrison Elementary, Red Bank High, Hixson Middle and Normal Park Museum Magnet have each earned the state designation for their work in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).
The selection of five schools in Hamilton County is the most from one district in the state for 2020. The five schools join STEM School Chattanooga and Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy, which each earned the designation in 2018.
Cleveland High School of Cleveland City Schools in neighboring Bradley County, as well as Waterville Elementary School in Bradley County, also were among the 22 schools selected this year.
The Tennessee Department of Education and the STEM Leadership Council worked together to develop the designation as a way to identify and recognize schools for their commitment to teaching STEM or STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) and for their work to prepare students for college and career success, according to a news release.
“The selection of five schools by the state is a reflection of the commitment by our district and schools to provide learning opportunities that will ensure that our students are Future Ready,” said Bryan Johnson, superintendent of Hamilton County Schools, in a statement. “The Hamilton County Board of Education’s five-year plan Future Ready 2023 addresses the need to provide Future Ready Students in Action Area 2, and the designation of these five schools demonstrates our progress in this vital area.”
Locally, the Public Education Foundation (PEF) worked with the district and schools through the application process. Each school committed at least two teacher leaders to participate in the STEM Fellows program through PEF. The yearlong fellowship helps teachers grow as instructional experts, teacher leaders and community connectors, according to the release.
“The Tennessee STEM School Designation provides not only recognition but also a road map for schools to successfully implement a STEM or STEAM education plan at the local level. Schools that receive the Tennessee STEM School Designation serve as models from which other schools may visit and learn. All K–12 schools serving students in Tennessee are eligible,” according to the release.