STEM/STEAM Recognition of Schools

Carter-Lawrence, Isaac Litton Recognized by State for STEM/STEAM Teaching and Learning
Posted on 05/11/2022
teacher and student in class
three educators holding litton recognition benner

Carter-Lawrence Elementary School and Isaac Litton Middle School were recognized by the Tennessee Department of Education and the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network (TSIN) this week as two of 27 Tennessee schools to receive the Tennessee STEM/STEAM School Designation in the 2021-22 school year.

The two MNPS schools received the honor for their transformational work in implementing the use of STEM/STEAM teaching and learning strategies. STEM is short for science, technology, engineering and mathematics; a STEAM curriculum adds arts to the mix.

“It is exciting to see hard work pay off. They have spent years aligning resources and lesson delivery around a STEAM focus. This STEM Designation is well-deserved,” said Dr. Celia Conley, MNPS executive director of middle schools.

The STEM/STEAM Designation program was launched in 2018 through the Tennessee Department of Education in partnership with the STEM Leadership Council. The goal is to provide a “roadmap” for schools to successfully implement STEM and STEAM education plans into local school districts. Since then, 88 schools have successfully earned the designation.

two educators holding carter lawrence recognition banner

Carter-Lawrence was designated a STEAM school, while Litton was recognized as a STEM school. Both schools underwent a rigorous application process that included self-evaluations, interviews and hosting site visits with the Tennessee STEM/STEAM Designation review team.

The process required schools to submit a plan of action for the implementation and sustainability of the STEM/STEAM educational programs for the next five years. In addition, the designation rubric included five areas of focus: infrastructure, curriculum and instruction, professional development, achievement, and community and postsecondary partnerships.

“Students cannot be what they cannot see, nor can they love what they do not experience,” said Dr. Jennifer Berry, MNPS director of STEAM and science. “This recognition highlights the work that these schools have accomplished to bring in real-world learning, focusing on inquiry and project-based learning where students understand what they learn and where it applies in the real world. These practices help students become critical thinkers, collaborators, creative, communicative, and problem-solvers, which is vital to the future of our great city.”

Stratford STEM Magnet (Upper Campus) became the first MNPS STEM-certified school through Cognia, formally known as AdvancED. Six MNPS schools are currently STEM/STEAM-certified or designated:

  • Stratford STEM Magnet (Upper Campus) - STEM Certified
  • Rosebank STEAM Magnet Elementary - STEM Certified
  • Croft Middle - STEM Designated
  • Rose Park Magnet Math and Science Middle - STEM Designated and STEM Certified
  • Carter-Lawrence Magnet Elementary - STEAM Designated
  • Litton Middle - STEM Designated
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