Van Buren Elementary

The Plainfield Community School Corporation Board of Trustees and Superintendent, Scott Olinger, have fostered a culture of STEM education at Van Buren Elementary for the past several years. Their leadership and support have been a key factor in developing Van Buren's STEM Program, as well as implementing STEM instructional practices to all stakeholders at Van Buren.

As a key leader in implementing the STEM program at Van Buren Elementary, Principal, Ray Helmuth has encouraged teachers to implement a variety of STEM principles and instructional practices into their classrooms. While having passion for STEM education himself, he has collaborated with teacher leaders to build a successful STEM program at Van Buren.

As a leader in post-secondary training, the MADE @ Plainfield facility provides multiple opportunities for the Plainfield community. The partnership with MADE allows Van Buren students to explore many different career pathways at an earlier age. Housed in the MADE facility are organizations such as Ivy Tech Community College, Vincennes University, The Indiana Department of Homeland Security, Work One, and Hendricks College Network. This partnership allows for students at Van Buren Elementary to view real world opportunities and their connection with their STEM program.

Van Buren forged a partnership with Snapology because of their well developed STEM integration school programing. We began the program with only kindergarten students and are expanding it to grades K-2. Snapology has made one of their education specialist readily available for consultation and planning purposes as well as participating on our STEM advisory board.