Here at New Market Elementary, we take pride in the fact that our STEM leadership team gathers feedback from 100% of our staff, making everyone a contributor to our dynamic STEM journey. This isn't just about ticking a box; it's our secret recipe for creating a STEM program that is as colorful, diverse, and engaging as our wonderful team. The feedback collected serves as the essential building blocks that help us align our curriculum with the Indiana Department of Education's STEM Certification Rubric, ensuring that we're not just meeting standards but setting new ones!

At New Market Elementary, our teachers don't just clock in and clock out—they're part of an innovative squad committed to making STEM education resonate with every student. That's why every week, our educators come together during designated common work time, not only within our building, but district-wide so that we can weave some interdisciplinary magic. This special time allows our teachers to cross-pollinate ideas and plan integrated STEM learning experiences.

Here at New Market Elementary, nestled within the progressive Southmont Community School District, we're not just thinking about today; we're charting a sustainable course for the next five years with our robust STEM certification sustainability plan. This visionary roadmap identifies key funding sources for all our technology needs, as well as for ongoing curriculum enhancements and staff training—because we know that a top-notch program requires top-notch resources. 

At New Market Elementary, we believe that a successful STEM program isn't just about grades or test scores—it's about cultivating a genuine passion for learning. That's why we take the pulse of our students' attitudes and interests in STEM. This valuable data serves as the compass that guides us in fine-tuning our STEM programming, ensuring it remains both engaging for our students and aligned with broader educational benchmarks.

At New Market Elementary, fostering a dynamic STEM program is a team effort that extends beyond our school walls. That's why we regularly convene our valued stakeholders—ranging from parents to local industry leaders—in various forums to discuss, evolve, and amplify the impact of our STEM initiatives.

At New Market Elementary, we've taken a meticulous approach to fostering high-quality STEM instruction through a specialized evaluation system. Our evaluation indicators are specifically tailored for STEM, crafted through modifications to a local evaluation tool or by employing a locally-developed STEM instructional walkthrough tool aimed at pinpointing targeted STEM teaching methods. But we don't stop there; all of our evaluators undergo rigorous training in these specific observation techniques, and their expert feedback is incorporated into both formative and summative evaluations to continually elevate the level of STEM instruction offered at our school.

At New Market Elementary, we're proud to say that STEM isn't a club or an elective—it's an educational cornerstone that every single student participates in, outside of related arts classes. And when it comes to our dedicated STEM instructional time, there are no exceptions and no pull-outs for remediation; we firmly believe that all students, regardless of their starting point, deserve access to these enriching, horizon-expanding learning opportunities.