STEM education in Mitchell County focuses on integrating science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to enhance student learning and prepare them for future employment. A $350,000 grant from Golden Leaf will fund the development of STEM labs and elective courses for middle and high school students, emphasizing hands-on, project-based learning. The initiative aims to improve local math and science scores, engage younger students, and align curriculum with the needs of local businesses to strengthen the community's economy.

1. What is STEM
education?
STEM is a curriculum based on the idea of educating
students in four specific disciplines — science,
technology, engineering and mathematics — in an
integrated, interdisciplinary approach to learning that
provides hands-on and relevant learning experiences
for students.

2. Why is STEM
education important?

7. Why is STEM
education important
in Mitchell County?

8. The majority of businesses in the area
need employees with STEM skills

9. Employees from the area tend to be more loyal
and create less turnover for the company.
They have a vested interest in giving back to
the community. If Mitchell County Schools can
produce more qualified STEM-based
employees, both businesses and the
community will benefit.

10. Math and science test scores both show
room for improvement in our district and
statewide. STEM based learning will
improve these scores and better prepare
students for further education and future
employment

11. With better prepared students showing
a positive effect with existing
businesses, new businesses will be
enticed to begin or relocate in our area
and improve the overall economy and
broaden the tax base

12. So what are
Mitchell County Schools doing
to improve
STEM education
in our county?

13. In the spring of 2015, a grant was submitted to Golden
LEAF to create an innovative STEM education program in
each school in our county K-12. The amount requested
was just over $450,000.
On June 11, 2015, Golden LEAF approved the grant.
However, it was approved only for grades 6-12 (middle
and high schools) and for $350,000.
Later that summer, a planning team was formed to decide
how to move forward with the STEM grant.

14. So what are the plans Mitchell
County Schools have for the
Golden LEAF STEM grant?

15. The cornerstone of STEM education for
Mitchell County Schools will be 2 fully equipped
STEM labs at Bowman and Harris Middle Schools
installed by Pitsco Education. Each school will offer a
STEM elective class for 6-8 graders.

16. The labs will consist of 10 modules that will
accommodate 2 students each. The students work
together to complete the STEM modules for 7 days and
then rotate to another one. The modules consist of
hands-on, project based learning.

17. Students that complete all 3 years of the
STEM elective class through 6th, 7th, and 8th
grades will complete 9-10 modules.

18. Modules are selected based on their relationships to area
businesses:
Biotechnology & Forensic Science:
CNC Manufacturing & Ideas and Innovations:
Environmental Issues & Water Management:
Electronics & Plastics and Polymers:

19. Students in the STEM elective class will also
complete 3 robotics stem units over their
middle school grades covering remote control,
autonomous (programming), and automation
manufacturing

20. The other main component of STEM
education in Mitchell County schools will be
innovative STEM discovery labs at each
middle school and at the high school

21. The labs will be housed in their own rooms stocked
with equipment, kits and stations for students and
teachers to utilize for in class and extracurricular
activities as well as provide students with
“makerspaces” to create and explore on their own.

22. Teachers will be able to take their
classes to the labs to complete projects
or take projects from the lab to their
classrooms for demonstration

23. High school students will also use the STEM discovery lab
before and after school, during planned SOAR activities
(daily 30 minute enrichment block), and during
extracurricular activities such as robotic, math, or
engineering clubs or competition teams.

24. Items in the lab will include
3-D printers, robotic kits, Lego and K’nex sets,
drones, snap circuits, coding stations, and multiple
STEM project kits and equipment

25. The last component of STEM education will be
specific curriculum kits and equipment to be used
directly in math and science classrooms to assist
teachers in applying concepts and explaining
objectives in their lessons

26. How will Mitchell County
expand STEM education
beyond the grant and plan for
the future?

27. STEM Education needs to start in the early years to
create student interest

28. With the help of local businesses and
additional grant opportunities, STEM labs
will be planned and created in our
elementary schools to engage students
early in their education.

29. Also with the assistance of local businesses, we will
transition the CTE Cabinetmaking program into an
Advanced Manufacturing curriculum that includes CNC
manufacturing, robotics, hydraulics, pneumatics,
mechatronics, and more.

30. Finally, we will continue to build and strengthen
relationships with local businesses and work
with them to drive the development of
curriculum and identify workplace skills needed.
This will lead to new curriculum and middle
school modules that will develop and prepare
students for careers in local industry.

31. STEM Education in
Mitchell County Schools
Questions?