We have worked, over the course of the past two years to build back some of the partnerships that were lost during the Covid-19 Pandemic. As many schools were in the same situation as we were, it was a process to not only regrow partnerships, but also build back some of the experiential learning opportunities that were put on pause. Since then, we have established a strong STEM Advisory board along with Van Buren Elementary. Our board is comprised of individuals from Rolls-Royce, our local YMCA, Thyssen-Krup, Duke Energy, and Great Dane Trucking. They have been generous with their time in providing feedback on our program, but also recomendations on additional partners to reach out to in order to continue the overall growth of what we are accomplishing at Meridian.
4.1 Community Partner Feedback
Meridian Elementary School collaborates with a diverse group of professionals including Matthew Meuser from Rolls Royce, Kaylee Maffioli from the YMCA, Marc Maurer the Terre Haute City Engineer, Charles Ogborn from Thyssen-Krupp, Natalie Knorniak from Purdue Extension, Brandon Lawson from Lawson Welding and Fabrication, Rick Berger from Duke Energy, and Corey Lookebill from Great Dane, who serve as their STEM Advisory Board. The board provides valuable expertise and guidance to the school, sharing insights on industry trends, emerging technologies, and real-world applications of STEM. The school utilizes the feedback from the advisory board to continually refine and enhance their STEM programming, ensuring it aligns with industry standards, exposes students to relevant career pathways, and maximizes the impact of STEM education on their student body.
4.2 STEM Career Exploration
Meridian Elementary School goes above and beyond to provide comprehensive STEM career exploration opportunities for their students. Through the implementation of the CREATE2THINK STEM Curriculum, students engage in hands-on activities, project-based learning, and real-world problem-solving that expose them to various STEM fields, industries, and potential career pathways. This curriculum fosters critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration while empowering students to develop a deep understanding of STEM concepts and their applications in the professional world.
4.3 Extended Learning
Meridian Elementary School is committed to providing extensive STEM-based learning opportunities for their students beyond the traditional classroom setting. Through programs such as the Robotics YMCA after-school program and summer club, Club 345 (a church program for students aged 3 to 5 focusing on life skills, cooking, sewing, and crafts), Drama Club (emphasizing design), Pep Team (a girl-driven dance clinic for grades K-2), Mental Math club (for grades 4 & 5), Science fair club (providing support for female students or those with limited resources to participate in science fairs), and Big Brother Big Sister, students are empowered to explore and engage in various STEM activities, fostering their interests, talents, and well-rounded development. These clubs and activities are available and accessible to more than 50% of our overall student population.
4.4 Access and Opportunity to STEM Experiences
Meridian Elementary School has identified a group of female students who are currently underrepresented in STEM fields. In response, the school has developed an action plan aimed at providing specific learning opportunities tailored to this student group. By implementing this plan throughout the school year, Meridian Elementary seeks to foster inclusivity, encourage interest, and empower these students to actively participate in and pursue careers in STEM, promoting representation and diversity in the field.