One of the goals of MES STEM is to foster a culture of inquiry among students, educators and community. Community partners play an important role in the STEM program at MES. Representatives from Blue River Services, Jackson County Industrial Development Corporation, and All Things Creative work closely with the STEM Leadership Team and with informing the school’s STEM plan. Gleaner’s works with administrators and students in the STEM Club in supplying the monthly food pantry.

The STEM Coordinator and elementary teachers worked together to create a Medora STEM Plan Template for all teachers to use when they are planning STEM units. Career exploration is a required component for each STEM unit. Classroom teachers have done a phenomenal job of incorporating career exploration into the units. STEM careers are discussed and displayed in the classrooms and hallways. During the summer, JCIDC sponsors a two-week long STEM camp for students in grades 3-6. Students explore different careers as part of the camp. Last summer, students visited Aisin, USA Manufacturing to learn more about the manufacturing process. A STEM Career Fair will be held in the Spring of 2020 for all students in grades 4-6 to provide more exposure to STEM careers.

MES has been fortunate to have amazing community partners who are actively engaged in STEM curriculum and activities. On November 8, 2019, MES hosted their first annual National STEM Day Celebration. The theme for the event was “Celebrating Our Community.” Fourth grade students from around the county were invited to attend. Several community partners joined in the celebration. Working in the Makerspace was one of five stations the students rotated through with a representative from 1st Makerspace. They also built parts with Legos to learn about working on an assembly line at a manufacturing facility, used a variety of materials to put around an egg to prevent it from breaking when dropped at two different levels, made an agriculture poster based on animals — in this case Hexbugs — going from the farm to the county fair and built bridges with wooden sticks.Excel Manufacturing Inc. and Jackson County Industrial Development Corp. were represented in the manufacturing activity, while Rose Acre Farms donated eggs and led the egg drop, and the Jackson County Highway Department assisted with the bridge building.

Students at MES have access and participate in a variety of extended learning activities related to STEM. A Robotics Team, led by Timothy Gothra of All Things Creative, meets weekly after school for students in grades 4-6 and will compete in county competitions for the first time this school year. A Girls Who Code club is part of the after-school program provided by Blue River Services. Any girl in grades K-8 is welcome to join. STEM Club meets twice a week for students in grades K-6 and is open to all students. The STEM Club also works with Gleaner’s on the monthly food pantry. The school teams with Blue River Services to hold STEM Family Nights twice a year. At these events, parents and community members get to work with students on STEM activities.