Five Hamilton County Schools were recognized as part of the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network at the Tennessee STEM Innovation Summit. Harrison Elementary School, Normal Park Museum Magnet, Hixson Middle School, Red Bank Elementary and Red Bank High School are the five schools in Hamilton County Schools being recognized for their work in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM.) The Tennessee Department of Education and the STEM Leadership Council worked together to develop the recognition 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.
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 recognition of these five schools demonstrates progress in this vital area, officials said.
Designated schools will also be invited to share promising practices at the Tennessee STEM Innovation Summit and become a member of the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network's school group.
The schools chosen this year join the other 26 previously designated schools and serve as models that other schools may visit and learn.
"We are excited to celebrate this milestone with these schools. Thanks to our partnership with HCS and Benwood Foundation, we have been honored to work alongside inspiring teachers and leaders through STEM Fellows to support schools as they have reimagined how they prepare students for success," said Michael Stone, vice president of Innovative Learning at the Public Education Foundation.
When Hamilton County Schools launched the Office of Innovation and Choice, one of Superintendent Dr. Bryan Johnson's goals was to increase STEM opportunities and designations. The Office of Innovation launched a STEM Cohort and provided year-long support to schools pursuing the state designation. The STEM focus addressed Accelerating Student Achievement and Future-Ready Students, two critical areas in the Future Ready 2023 five-year plan.
Each school that was awarded the Tennessee STEM School Designation was evaluated through a rigorous application process. Schools were asked to complete a self-evaluation, participate in interviews and host site visits with the Tennessee STEM Designation review team. The designation criteria included five focus areas: infrastructure, curriculum and instruction, professional development, achievement and community and post-secondary partnerships. As a part of the process, schools were required to submit a plan of action for implementing and sustaining STEM or STEAM education for the next five years.
Hamilton County Schools has a total of seven schools with STEM designation. Harrison Elementary School, Normal Park Museum Magnet, Hixson Middle School, Red Bank Elementary, and Red Bank High School were formally recognized on Thursday at 7 p.m.