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BC STEM Innovation Center reports attendance, behavior gains and project‑based learning progress
Summary
Principal Christian Manley told the board that BC STEM Innovation Center has improved chronic attendance and behavioral measures and is implementing project‑based learning supported by partners including Van Andel Institute and W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
BC STEM Innovation Center leaders updated the Battle Creek Public Schools board on academic, attendance and programmatic progress during the March 10 work session.
Principal Christian Manley said the school, which serves sixth through eighth grades and uses a STEM, project‑based model, had 75 percent of students who are not chronically absent and reported behavior supports that left 134 of 145 students in Tier 1. "We do a lot of celebrating attendance," Manley said, describing attendance contracts and outreach by the district's CIS coordinator.
Why it matters: trustees heard that the school is moving toward district goals for chronic absenteeism and disciplinary interventions, while expanding hands‑on programming such as hydroponics and video production training with local partner AccessVision.
Details: Manley described grade‑level themes (sixth: identity; seventh: community; eighth: change makers), incentives tied to STAR assessment growth (104 students took a winter bowling trip after meeting growth goals), and partnerships that provide teacher PD and student field experiences. Van Andel Institute has supported project launches for each grade; the school will host a May 7 showcase. For hands‑on science, eighth‑grade teacher Dr. Bell and the Hydro Connect program (supported by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation) operate hydroponic units that hold more than 200 plants; students grow cilantro, basil, tomatoes and lettuces.
AccessVision partnership: Manley said 46 of 52 seventh‑graders have been trained in video production and may earn certificates to use AccessVision equipment; the program also pilots editing and podcasting training.
Board exchange: trustees asked clarifying questions about tier definitions, the role of classroom staff and campus monitoring, and whether BC STEM could partner with Fremont on a student inquiry into school breakfast nutrition. No formal district action was taken; the update was informational.
