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Crowley ISD showcases STEM Plus programs, partnerships and internships; district cites grants and industry ties
Summary
District staff presented an overview of STEM programming for elementary through high school, including a new National Society of Black Engineers chapter, women/men-in-STEM clubs, robotics competitions, industry internships (Lockheed Martin, Bell Flight), NASA certifications, and summer STEM offerings supported by grants.
Crowley ISD presented a wide-ranging "STEM plus for all" showcase at its April 24 board meeting, highlighting new student clubs, industry internships and district partnerships intended to expand STEM pathways from elementary through high school.
Dr. Valencia and STEM coordinators described work across 32 staff coordinators and teachers who run elementary, middle and high-school STEM activities. Highlights included a newly formed National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) chapter, the inaugural Society of Women in STEM, a Society of Men in STEM to launch in the fall, and expanded after-school robotics and VEX competitions.
Career and work-based learning partnerships were a centerpiece of the presentation. District staff said students had applied for or completed internship pipelines with Lockheed Martin and Bell Flight (Bell Helicopter), and that city and botanical-garden engineering departments had agreed to placements. A student selected for a Lockheed Martin internship addressed the board and thanked the district for the opportunity. Staff said several juniors and seniors would take cybersecurity certification training supported by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as part of a summer program.
Presenters described grants and university partnerships used to subsidize travel and field experiences; staff said some trips cost about $400 per student but that external grants and university support reduced out-of-pocket expense. The district also announced a STEM Wars event and a summer STEM academy (STEM MOSAIC) with spots opening to students across elementary, middle and high schools.
Trustees asked clarifying questions about grant sources, gender composition of specific camps and continued industry support; presenters said they would continue to pursue grants and monitor participation statistics.
The board received the presentation as information; no formal board action was required.
