Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
STEM Academy earns School of Distinction award
The Academy has been recognized as a German American Partnership Program (GAPP) School of Distinction.
DOWNINGTOWN » Downingtown STEM Academy has been recognized as a German American Partnership Program (GAPP) School of Distinction. The award was presented during a ceremony on February 11, acknowledging STEM for its exceptional partnership in fostering long-term German American youth exchange between the U.S. and Germany.
The GAPP “School of Distinction” award is sponsored by GAPP and its partners to recognize outstanding GAPP Schools in the U.S. for their engagement and best practices that facilitate youth change in their school, community and beyond.
For the last seven years, STEM has successfully developed and integrated the German American Partnership Program in grades 1012. Originally under the leadership of Frau Jessica Staub, and now led by Frau Laura Daniels as STEM GAPP Coordinator, the STEM Academy has been organizing the exchange with the Gymnasium Fabritianum in Krefeld, Germany, bringing students together with host families in their respective countries and building lasting relationships between teachers, administrators, schools and participating communities.
“The GAPP program allowed me to do something that the STEM Academy emphasizes, which is take risks while learning. By the end of the trip I had a newfound confidence in not only my language skill, but my potential to live in a new country later on in life,” said STEM GAPP alumni, Charlie Boinske. GAPP alumni Nathan Springer added, “Participating in GAPP gave me the chance to step out of my comfort zone and experience the German culture on a deeper level than if I just visited as a tourist. It helped me create lifelong friends that I am still in regular contact with, even years later.”
“We are very proud to award our GAPP School of Distinction to the Downingtown STEM Academy. With this recognition we highlight and celebrate the Academy’s dedication to student growth and inclusion of global perspectives, and celebrate the endless work of everyone who is involved in the GAPP exchange,” said Molly Rowland, GAPP Executive Director.
Since 1972 GAPP has been fostering bilateral student exchange and promoting German language instruction in the United States. GAPP is supported by the German government, the U.S. Department of State and the Goethe-Institut.