Executive Summary

STEM PLAN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Kokomo High School (KHS) has operated as a STEM school for several years. Maple Crest Middle School, our feeder school, is STEM certified. Kokomo High School has 3 academies (STEM, IB, and K-Tech) and all academies share a specific pathway and point of emphasis to attract ALL of our students. The STEM Academy has practiced being a STEM school for several years, and now it is time for our school to take the next step and become STEM certified. Kokomo High School’s STEM Academy students have the opportunity to learn using a core curriculum integrated with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Our STEM Academy teachers place an emphasis on real-world, problem-based learning. This focus inspires state-of-the art thinking within Kokomo High School’s wide variety of curriculum choices. The environment at Kokomo High School promotes learning as our daily ultimate goal so our STEM Academy students can achieve success. Each student is assigned a 1 to 1 computer device for collaboration and research, for use both in the classroom and at home. A special benefit of attending Kokomo High School’s STEM Academy is that the Kokomo Area Career Center is down the hallway. Kokomo Area Career Center courses and internships afford KHS students valuable learning experiences that will prepare them for college and/ or a career.

By being “officially” STEM certified, we plan to expand the resources and experiences that we offer students. By developing our STEM program and being certified, we will be able to continue to offer STEM opportunities that will positively impact our students through the 21^st Century. STEM certification will enhance several opportunities that we currently have for students including: collaborative-based curriculum which piques students’ interest through Project-Based Learning; integrated curriculum with a focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math; creative exploration; AP and dual-credit courses; STEM pathways to success; technology-enriched environment; and computing devices for each student.

Our STEM Academy not only focuses on STEM Habits of Mind but we also incorporate the 4 C’s (Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, and Creativity). Aiming toward helping students process using the 4 C’s allows for us to prepare our students to take initiative in problem solving and approaching situations by using the STEM skills that they have developed. Last year our STEM Academy did a Tiny House Project. The project based experience called for students to challenge themselves and figure out solutions to real-life problems. Teachers used the Tiny House project in all subject areas to create a plan for the students and groups of students to prepare to develop and live in a Tiny House. Students were required to work in multiple interdisciplinary areas to: construct their Tiny House using math (Geometry, Algebra, and Art); figure out the cost of constructing a Tiny House; write proposals to get loans from banks; compare and contrast the cost associated with a Tiny House and a traditional home; determine the difference between necessities and wants; and list and describe the reasoning on the different accommodations that a student’s Tiny House would entail.

Kokomo High School has placed a great deal of emphasis on student engagement. Students who are engaged perform much better, and are potential leaders in our school and in our community. If someone was to take a look at the STEM non-negotiables that are offered at Kokomo High School, they would see multiple practices and investments into student learning. KHS offers 25 Advanced Placement Classes for all students and especially for our students that want to gain college credits while in high school. Our TechnoKats team is also a program that offers unique opportunities, and that KHS is very proud of. TechnoKats is a student-led team dedicated to promoting STEM and life skills, including creativity, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration. The TechnoKats are a robotics and technology team that compete annually in FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) which is an organization that hosts an international robotics competition to inspire and motivate high school students to become interested and involved in science and technology. We are very proud of our extra-curricular activities that create student opportunity. We just began an esports team this year. Students on our esports team are learning important skills, including the 4 C’s: Creativity, Collaboration, Communication, and Critical Thinking. Engaging in extra-curricular activities, such as this competitive gaming program, helps our students build confidence while engaging in an outstanding high school learning experience. This program opens doors to the possibility of many post-secondary opportunities. Finally, our Kokomo Area Career Center, was created to increase the hands on employability skills of our students with a STEM focus in mind. Kokomo Area Career Center provides career and technical training for students in grades 8-12 from four counties and nine school districts. Students have the option to earn more than 165 college dual credits. The career center offers 10 career clusters and pathways. Instruction at the Kokomo Area Career Center includes hands-on learning, project-based learning, cooperative learning, work-based learning, internships, and clinical rotations.

In order to maintain our success as a STEM Academy and school, we have worked to develop a 5 year sustainability plan to ensure that we are able to retain a progression within our program. Part of our plan is to continue to engage students and develop lifelong learners. To that end, our STEM students will work toward solving real-world problems. Students in the STEM Academy are developing skills that will allow them to be leaders in colleges and in multiple careers. Projects that motivate students to focus, process, participate, and use problem solving techniques permit students the opportunity to generate thoughts about how to resolve a problem. Those skills are the future. Using those skills via a project, hands on activities, and Project Based Learning is STEM.