Shelley Christmas, Director of Curriculum & Technology
Dr. Nancy Harrison, Loogootee High School Principal
Megan Jones, Drone Teacher
Nicole Matthews, Engineering & Lion Manufacturing Teacher
Tracie McAtee, Math & Computer Science Teacher
Leslie VanHoy, Biology & PLTW Principles of Biomedical Science Teacher
Reis Whitney, LHS Senior
Sarah Jones, LHS Sophomore
Olivia Taylor, LHS Sophomore
Sara Lengacher, Parent of LHS Student
LCSC's STEM Mission Statement
The mission of Loogootee Community Schools, in partnership with our community, is to provide an innovative and technological foundation that will prepare each child for the future. We work to build every student's talent to reach the highest potential through rigorous curriculum, enhanced 1:1 technology, and flexible instruction that meets the needs of all learners today to become tomorrow's leaders.
LCSC's Vision
Timeline of STEM Programming
LHS has collaborated with other schools in the Loogootee Community School District to develop, implment, and evaluate STEM programming since 2017. Surveys are evaluated yearly to form plans to enhance programming and increase student engagment in all areas of their educational endeavors.
Enrollment & Demographics in STEM Programs
Student enrollment in STEM programming is at an all time high with 44.63% of our student population being enrolled in the focused areas. 100% of all LHS teachers that began the 2023-24 school year are trained and certifeid in Project Based Learning. Although we are a very small corporation and have a small high school, two hours a month is devoted to common training and work time. Teachers also all have the same lunch, so they work on plans with each other during this time in the teachers' work room.
Interdisciplinary STEM Projects
LHS integrates STEM projects on a daily basis through our rigorous PLTW Biomedical Science, Computer Science, and Engineering coursework. LHS also integrates these integrated projects through our student-run business, Lion Manufacturing, and our required PBL units and activities in all classes. Teachers and students also have the ability to work cross-curricular with other teachers and students to create a "tiny home" from a shipping container.
Computer Science Implementation
LHS has integrated a Computer Science & Cybersecurity pathway using PLTW Computer Science curricula into our curriculum to meet the growing need for computer scientists in our area. LHS was one of the first schools in the state to offer a drone program for students where the students can become FAA Certified Drone Pilots. Computer science is also embedded in our PLTW Engineering curriculum through the tools used and with the ability of our students to recieve their CAD Certification. LCSC has also developed Pathway Guiding Documents that outline the experiences and activities that students will encounter in each pathway in grades K-12, including Computer Science.
STEM Instructional Feedback
All administrators and teachers in the Loogootee Community School Corporation are trained and certified in Project Based Learning (PBL). The implementation of PBL activities are required by the corporation and teachers are evaluated on their implementation as is evidenced by our corporation evaluation rubric. Since our administrators are certified in PBL like our teachers, they understand what is needed in such instruction. Several teachers and an administrator are trained in PLTW courses. This allows teachers to implement more PBL strategies in other courses that they teach and help to guide other teachers to become masters of this craft.
Technology Tools
LHS students use technology on a daily basis in their educational pursuits. Students and teachers are each provided with their own Chromebooks, and each classroom houses a ViewSonic interactive screen for more engaged learning experiences. Lion Manufacturing provides students will software and technology tools which are industry standard, including Stratus FDM and polyjet 3D printers, a plasma table which can cut thick 4' x 8' metal, VF1 CNC machines, and high powered laser engravers.
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Lion Manufacturing & Computer Science students at Vincennes University's College of Business & Technology
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Lion Manufacturing students at NWSC Crane presenting on Additive Manufacturing
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