Washington STEM Digital Portfolio

School Overview

Washington STEM Academy Demographics

Location: Warsaw, IN
Type: Rural
Student Population: 501 students
Free or Reduced Lunch: 51.5%

Washington STEM Academy Description

Warsaw Community Schools (WCS) is located in Kosciusko County in Northern Indiana. As part of the WCS district, Washington STEM Academy has a population that reflects our district’s diversity. The district encompasses an area of 25 miles by 35 miles. The school has an enrollment of about five hundred students including 25% minority and 52% free/reduced lunch. In 2022, Washington was recognized by the Indiana Department of Education as a Family Friendly School, reflecting the positive culture of our school and community.

There are eight elementary schools within the WCS District, and Washington is proud to be one of the first accredited STEM schools in Indiana by the IDOE in 2015. The school was renovated in 2016 when a large STEM Lab was added to service students with ample space to work on STEM projects. We successfully recertified in 2020. Being a model STEM school in the state, we often open our doors to schools that are considering becoming certified. Washington gives tours to leaders and teachers, answering questions centered around STEM education. We believe sharing our experiences will provide a resource to other schools and benefit students beyond Washington STEM Academy.

Washington STEM embraces our community’s rich distinctions as both the Orthopedic Capital of the World and the City of Lakes. Washington has built dynamic STEM curricula focused on these distinctions, both of which drive our bricks, pillars, and Project Based Learning (PBL) units. Students can be found in waders studying endangered mussels, sharing PBL projects with families and community members, working with local engineers from our orthopedic industry to give students feedback on projects. Washington STEM students inquire, engage, collaborate, and present to authentic audiences.

The opportunities for Washington STEM students and their families extend well past the traditional school day. In addition to the traditional sports opportunities, students can be found singing in choir, learning and competing in chess club and robotic clubs, participating in student council, and more. We have two robotics clubs in the fall and spring, one being the First Lego League that competes each year. We join the other WCS elementary schools in the Annual Spring Robotics Showcase to allow all students to have an opportunity to experience robotics and share their learning with the community. Families join in at skate nights, carnivals, PBL presentations, etc. Throughout the year, there are multiple opportunities for families to engage in student learning and additional activities.

Description of STEM Focus/Program

Learning through Experience

Washington delivers authentic learning through cross curricular STEM instruction (science, technology, engineering, and math). We believe children learn best through experiences that have meaning in their life. Washington steps back and considers what children need to grow and develop. We also believe that Project Based Learning is the best medium to immerse students in this kind of learning. Teachers have been trained in the Gold Standard PBL model and frequently add to and refine their PBLs throughout the year.

Engaging Problem-Based Curriculum

STEM is a powerful and engaging way to reach students. Children retain information and are able to transfer their learning to real life. Students gain employability skills through building collaborative relationships, being immersed in problem-based curriculum, and having the opportunity to showcase their learning through presentations.

Creating Environmental Stewards

Washington fosters stewardship by participating in conservation issues as evidenced by their involvement in decision-making management of natural resources, studying current threats to ecosystem health, contributing to local efforts, and stepping in leadership roles for local conservation efforts. Washington is on the forefront of providing an education system that attracts and retains talent to our community by connecting learning to the community by focusing on Lakes and Streams, the World of Biomedical Engineering, and Green Energy.

Indiana STEM Certified School

Washington is an Indiana STEM certified school by the Indiana State Department of Education. We are a reading and writing school that uses science, technology, engineering, and mathematics as a means of delivering instruction. We are built around a project-based learning model to inspire and equip students to deepen their knowledge in order to be successfully prepared with 21st Century College and Career Washington readiness skills.

Community Partnerships

We understand the importance of partnerships. That is why we have created working relationships with the Kosciusko Soil and Water, Wihebrink Landscape Management, Orthoworx, Everwise Credit Union, Science Central, Kosciusko County Recycling, ZimmerBiomet, Orthopediatrics, Medtronic, DePuy Synthes, Grace College, Manchester University, VIA Credit Union, City of Warsaw, Science Central, Warsaw Education Foundation, Kosciusko Community Foundation, imi Construction just to name a few.

Goals for the Future of STEM at Washington

Some of the goals we have for furthering our STEM school in the next five years are to:

Further our STEM integration with professional development for teachers.
Increase community partner engagement.
Introduce new technology, such as Virtual Reality, AI, Python coding, and video creating and editing.
Utilize Skill Struck as our main curriculum for AI and Computer Science.