WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI – An elementary school in the heart of Ypsilanti wants to set a new standard for STEM education options in the area.
Brick Elementary School, part of the Lincoln Unified School District, is on track to achieve full institutional accreditation by May after applying through the National Institute for STEM Education in November, Interim Principal Cassandra Coker said. said. Receiving the seal of approval means Brick's curriculum meets her high quality standards as a STEM education center.
“(Certification) can change everything in a community because students start seeing things through a STEM lens earlier,” Coker said.
Support from the Lincoln Unified School District is critical to Brick’s growth as a STEM education destination. In a statement sent to MLive, school officials said the school system offers a wide range of resources and support to promote STEM education and highlight the district's commitment to making Brick a “beacon of STEM excellence.” said.
The elementary school also joins other local organizations such as the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, and Toyota Motor North America, which in June made a nearly $10 million donation over five years to support technology development in the Southeast. We also benefit greatly from our partnerships with organizations. Through Michigan's Driving Possibilities initiative. Coker said Brick also received a $5,000 grant from Toyota earlier this year to update the school's library books.
Related: Toyota to develop STEM education program for Washtenaw County School District
Brick Elementary School has hosted monthly “STEM Nights” to highlight the opportunities and benefits of pursuing a STEM education to students and community members. Coker said students were challenged to build a miniature golf course at a sports-themed event held at the beginning of the school year that drew hundreds of people from the local community.
Promoting STEM opportunities will also foster Brick Elementary School's focus on the “Three Ess,” or ensuring that every student is enrolled, enlisted or employed upon graduation, Coker said. Stated.
“I’m excited to see (STEM) grow in all of our schools because that’s what our students need,” Coker said. “We support the 4 Cs: communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity.”
The “STEM Career Day” event, scheduled for April 24, will bring together “a little bit of everything” under the STEM umbrella to show students what opportunities await them. In addition to nurses, plumbers, engineers, firefighters, and his many other STEM-related professionals, participants will be joined by the U.S. Coast Guard, which plans to land a helicopter in the Brick Elementary School parking lot, and Ford Motor Co., Ltd. You can expect a demonstration from Motor Company. Coker said he plans to bring an electric vehicle to demonstrate to students.
Want more reports like this delivered to your inbox for free? click here Sign up for our weekly newsletter, Michigan Schools.
Want more Ann Arbor area news? Bookmark us Ann Arbor local news page, Ypsilanti area news page Or sign up for free.3@3 Ann Arbor” daily newsletter.
