Recognition of McLane Middle School’s Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Robotics Institute and Outstanding Student Achievement in the Disney Wide World of Sports Vex Robotics Competition All-Star Challenge, 2009/2010 (Career and Technical Education-Curriculum and Instruction Division)

We would like to recognize McLane Middle School’s STEM Robotics Institute and outstanding student achievement in the Disney Wide World of Sports Vex Robotics Competition All-Star Challenge, held in Orlando, Florida, November 2009.

STEM initiatives started as a way to promote education in the areas of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and are growing ever more popular as a way to make certain our country is producing postsecondary graduates in these fields to ensure our nation continues to be globally competitive. Labor market projections indicate that our country will need over 400,000 new graduates in STEM fields by 2015. The benefits for students participating in STEM themed institutes includes: enhanced problem solving capabilities, improved mathematics skills, increased technological skills, and advanced instruction involving real world applications utilizing interdisciplinary integration and teaming.

Middle school STEM institutes follow National Standards of Practice for Career Academies which involves integration of core academics with a Career and Technical Education Program of Study. The McLane Middle School STEM Robotics Institute provides a STEM curriculum for students in the sixth through eighth grades. This STEM institute curriculum provides an effective blend of academic rigor and real world authentic learning experiences with a focus on robotic engineering.

Students in the STEM Robotics Institute are afforded the opportunity to take on many new academic challenges, including taking high school credit courses in the eighth grade, participating in career and technical student organizations, and competing in various robotics events.

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* Increase promotion rates at all grade levels and the percentage of high school graduates, * Demonstrate consistent and effective teaching methods, * Motivate students to become responsible learners, * Challenge and support all students with an appropriate curriculum

This agenda item is for recognition and has no financial impact on the District