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Domain Summary: Partnerships
Domain Summary: Partnerships
As evidenced by the letters of support submitted with our STEM Certification application, Manchester Community Schools is blessed to have the support of and access to a tremendous group of community partners. These partners open their doors to our students, share their expertise and feedback with our teachers, and support extra-curricular STEM opportunities for all students.
Manchester University
MCS works with a variety of Manchester University departments to connect students to and with post-secondary educational experiences. Walk Into My Future, an annual event hosted by Manchester University in partnership with the Community Foundation of Wabash County, exposes K-3rd-graders to college and careers while introducing 529 savings plans.
OrthoWorx
Manchester partners with OrthoWorx to introduce students to opportunities in the orthopedic industry. Together we provide students with basic skills required for a production position in orthopedics.
Boy Scout Troop 465
Eagle Scout projects often address a need in the community or school system. Two recent projects added handicappped-accessible trails and raised bed gardens to the MES Outdoor Learning area.
Equitable Education Solutions (Create2THINK)
Through an IDOE Digital Learning Community Partners grant, MCS partnered with Equitable Education Solutions for professional development and materials to increase the knowledge and instructional capacity for integrated STEM/PBL implementation for teachers and administrators.
Community Foundation of Wabash County
“In 2012, the Community Foundation of Wabash County committed one half of its unrestricted grantmaking to a set of strategic initiatives designed to help advance the educational attainment level in the county. Instead of waiting for needs to arise, the Foundation, in partnership with others, asked where it could apply grants strategically to change conditions at the source of community problems. The persistent problems of unemployment, hunger, poverty, and illiteracy repeatedly led back to low levels of education. Strategic programs to support education dovetail with the regional work of the Big Goal Collaborative, a program of the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership for Economic Development. The partners of the collaborative are working to raise the number of working adults with post-secondary education or high quality industry certifications from 32% to 60% by 2025.” (copied from: https://www.cfwabash.org/grants/education-matters) The Community Foundation financially supports programs and initiatives that directly impact MCS families. Programs such as Begindergarten and The Promise Scholars equip students for learning and incentivize the pursuit of post-secondary education. The Community Foundation grant program funds a variety of school-related activities such as the elementary outdoor learning lab and high school media center upgrades.
Bayer Foundation
The Bayer Foundation provided start-up funds that supported activities surrounding the construction, use, and maintenance of our Outdoor STEM Learning Lab gardens.
Indiana Science Olympiad (INSO)
“Science Olympiad employs cross-cutting concepts in all of its standards-aligned events, building 21st century skill sets essential to today’s science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) workforce. There are 23 events each in Division B (middle school) and Division C (high school), providing a platform for students to apply and display a wide variety of talents, from design and prototyping, to technical writing, to chemistry lab skills.” (copied from https://www.soinc.org/bc-events) Our long-standing partnership with Indiana Science Olympiad has provided hundreds of students the opportunity to dive deeper into areas of STEM that they are passionate about. Students visit college campuses, interact with professors and like minded peers, and often discover a career pathway through the Science Olympiad experience. #INSciOly #SquireScience #SquireSTEM
Grow Wabash County
Grow Wabash County serves as a bridge to connect MCS students with local businesses for internships and work-based learning experiences. This organization served as an advisor and also wrote a letter of support for our successful Next Level Programs of Study Implementation grant.
Ivy Tech, Fort Wayne
Ivy Tech, Fort Wayne partners with MCS to offer Dual Credit opportunities to our students. They have played an integral role in the creation of a Next Level Program of Study in Business Administration, which Manchester will serve as the pilot program for the state.
Work-Based Learning placements: Precision Medical Technology, Instrumental Machine and Development, Paragon Medical, Inc, Crossroads Bank, Parkview Hospitals, Indiana Physical Therapy
4.1 Community Partner Feedback
4.1 Community Partner Feedback
At least three community partners, from different sectors, provide feedback on the school's STEM program
Notes from a collaborative meeting with Manchester University. Meeting Driving Question: How do we maximize the environmental education resources and expertise available through a partnership between Manchester University and Manchester Community Schools?
The University provides valuable input on STEM program direction including suggestions for additional community partners, ideas for program sustainability, and K - 12 curriculum progressions. Input from Manchester University provides actionable feedback on our STEM programs.
MU STEM LoS - Sue Gnagy.pdfStrategic Planning Slide (shown during public meeting with community partners). The 6th grade team discussed STEAM, cross-curricular connections, and collaboration.
MIS STE(A)M SP Slide Example - Sue Gnagy.pngI am very impressed by the currency and thoroughness the Manchester Community Schools (MCS) has exhibited in this MCS 5-Year STEM plan and recommend them for certification. The breadth of community partner outreach and by the dynamic choice of curriculum materials and programs that is evidenced in this plan is excellent. Clearly this collaborative effort by the MCS STEM Innovation team has been fruitful in striving toward some very high STE(A)M goals since 2018, which include well-known and up-to-date sources. I especially like the emphasis on inquiry-based learning, the choice of Vision Statement (“Never stop wondering!” by NSTA author Emily Morgan) and the characteristics chosen for the “Profile of a Graduate Attributes.” It is very appropriate that the curriculum offerings are supported with teacher training, and that ongoing teacher collaboration is part of the teaching environment. The team has done a phenomenal job of accessing grants from all possible areas to help in this effort, and for this should be commended.
Kathleen Konicek-Moran, Ed.D.
NSTA Author and Illustrator
Equitable Education Solutions
Equitable Education Solutions
We have partnered with EES in order to help guide us in our STEM programming efforts. Dr. Mike Langevine has supported in providing STEM guidance in compliance with the STEM Certification goals. A team of his consultants has conducted regular professional development sessions with our staff in order help us focus our cross curriculum planning for two years.
4.2 STEM Career Exploration
4.2 STEM Career Exploration
Elementary and Middle School: At least 50 percent of STEM units have career exploration/information as a part of the curriculum
High School: At least 50 percent of students have direct experiences with STEM professionals and/or professional STEM work environments quarterly
Medical_Detectives_Course_Outline (1) (2).pdfAll 6th grade students participate in PLTW. Each unit immerses students in hands-on experiences that introduce a variety of STEM career pathways.
Each grade level utilizes the CREATE2THINK PBL units. Each unit embeds a different STEM career connection within it. This allows students to access 8 different STEM careers per grade level. The career connections involve visual thinking routines to support metacognition and research and exposure to the variety of careers within the field.
IMG_5522 - Jen Birch.jpgAll students in 6th grade go on a college visit to Manchester University and Indiana Tech to learn about the different career opportunities and programs available to them.
All Manchester Intermediate 5th grade students participate in JA BizTown. This program is designed to provide students with the opportunity to run their own town. They get to explore various careers, get assigned a specific job, and given an opportunity to preform the job at BizTown. Teachers work with students to learn about the functions of a town and the different job opportunities available. Students learn about their individual interests and interview for the job they desire. This project gives students a real world work experience.
4.3 Community Engagement
4.3 Community Engagement
Five or more established community partners are actively engaged in the STEM program
IMG_5522 - Jen Birch.jpgAll students in 6th grade go on a college visit to Manchester University and learn about the different career opportunities and programs available to them.
20201006_142142_resized - Andrew Chinworth.jpgWabash County Soil and Water Conservationists meet with all 5th graders every year to give them hands-on lessons about watershed management and agricultural land-use issues.
Screen Shot 2020-10-17 at 5.03.56 PM - Jen Birch.png6th Grade students partner with Purdue Extension to provide students with an opportunity to learn about diversity, STEM, nutrition, and water. Purdue Extension provides guest speakers to come into the classroom and teach the students about all the various topics.
MIS 6th grade partners with Purdue Extension to provide students an opportunity to use different STEM devices such as 3D pens, ozobots, Makey Makey, and more.
Screen Shot 2020-10-17 at 5.04.21 PM - Jen Birch.png
Pictured above is the Purdue Extesnion staff.
Image-1-3 - Jen Birch.jpegThe Honeywell Center of Wabash County partners with the 6th grade language arts classes to teach figurative language and theme through music and Jam Studio.
5th Grade ecosystems trip to Hathaway Preserve - Andrew Chinworth.jpegAll 5th grade students participate in EcoSystems Day with our community partner, ACRES Land Trust.
MIS 6th grade partners with Strauss Peabody Aquatic Center and Manchester University to give each student a week of swim lessons.
Screen Shot 2020-10-17 at 4.59.25 PM - Jen Birch.pngManchester-Community-Schools-Support-Letter (1).pdf4.4 Extended Learning
4.4 Extended Learning
STEM activities such as robotics and engineering clubs, internships, and apprenticeships are available and accessible by at least 50 percent of students in an on-going basis
Science Olympiad is available to all 6th grade students, providing them an opportunity to explore rigorous studies across all science subjects. Manchester's Science Olympiad team has qualified for the State Tournament every year the program has existed, since 2003, providing students the opportunity to compete against the best students from around Indiana.
science bowl letter 2019.docTo the left: Students are able to participate in a variety of STEM-related extracurricular activities. As indicated on the permission slip for Science Bowl, the transportation to and from practices is provided by the parent/guardian.
The school provides transportation to and from all activities and events with the exception of practices.
Manchester Intermediate School students were asked to create/display science artwork for the Science and Symphony 80th season kick off event at Manchester University. 5th grade students made constellations models for display while 6th grade students created scale models of the solar system. Students were invited to a standards-aligned, multidisciplinary educational experience during the school day and families received free tickets for the evening event. Many families attended this event that featured their students' artwork as well as a variety of STEM learning opportunities.
All MIS students have the opportunity to participate in a variety of extended learning activities during the school day. This includes field trips, guest speakers, special events, Genius Hour/STEAM, and classroom competitions. We believe these in-school extended learning opportunities may provide the spark necessary for students to gain interest and pursue after-school clubs and opportunities! The image carousel below highlights some of these opportunities.
4.5 Equity
4.5 Equity
Provides at least three opportunities/modes to inspire and inform under-represented students about careers in STEM fields
We the Many Program
Manchester Community Schools and the Honeywell Foundation will be partnering through the We the Many Program, a grant awarded through Arts Midwest. A Hispanic female artist from Chicago will be collaborating with MCS Hispanic students to integrate curriculum and writing to help tell their story through the arts.
Work Based Learning
Karen Jiminez-Saucdeo, a senior at Manchester Community High School, will be job shadowing the ELL Teacher at Manchester Intermediate School second semester. Karen plans to enter the field of education and would like experience supporting our Spanish speaking students in the classroom.
Project Lead the Way
Students at MIS have the opportunity to learn how to code and program microbits with Mrs. Birch. Studens learn how to preform various functions and tasks.
Tara Whicker, MCS alumni, followed her passion for Environmental Education that was ignited through her experiences at Manchester Schools. Her senior AP Environmental Science trip to the Florida Everglades and her experiences in Science Olympiad inspired her to pursue a career in Environmental Education. She works as the Coastal Education Assistant Coordinator for Fort Caswell in Oak Island, NC. Tara is a certified NC Environmental Educator. Manchester Community Schools is extremely proud of ALL of our graduates and enjoy sharing how each of them is impacting the community in which they serve!
Skype with Servicemen and Women
MIS 6th grade students recently took the opportunity to write letters and notes of encouragement to current servicemen and women, stationed in Qatar. Among these brave soldiers is the father of an MIS 6th grade student. Through the help of 6th grade teachers, the soldiers, and this student’s mother, 6th grade students had the opportunity to have a video meeting with soldiers on Friday morning. This was a fantastic experience and one all involved are not likely to soon forget! #BeMIS #SquireStudents
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