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Lebanon Middle School students showcase hands-on STEM projects in board spotlight
Summary
Teachers and students described the middle school's STEM program, including Design & Modeling, Medical Detectives and app-creation classes, and previewed new permanent STEM spaces under construction.
Lebanon Community School Corp board members heard a program spotlight on March 18 highlighting hands-on STEM instruction at Lebanon Middle School and a preview of new permanent learning spaces under construction.
Teachers Jim Moore and Megan Alexander described current classes that include Design & Modeling for sixth grade, app-creation for seventh grade and a Medical Detectives course for eighth graders. Moore said the program follows Project Lead The Way curriculum and emphasizes teamwork and prototyping; Alexander said her classes include computer science and medical labs that let students swab bacteria and test antibiotics.
Students who appeared at the meeting described the course work. Jackson Mefford, an eighth-grade student, said Medical Detectives “opened my mind up to more possible opportunities in my future” and helped him better understand care in hospitals. Gwen Sussman said she enjoys identifying diseases from symptoms; Emily Garcia described experiments testing medicines against bacteria.
Why it matters: Presenters said the STEM program has grown since it was restarted and now offers two class options at each middle-school grade level. District leaders said the new permanent STEM classrooms and a visible display corridor in the middle-school entrance should increase student access and community visibility.
Questions from board members and staff addressed program growth, community partnerships and internships. Moore credited community partnerships and Project Lead The Way training for expansion and said district staff are exploring guest presenters from local engineering associations. District staff said transportation and internship opportunities are constrained by student transportation capabilities and scheduling but that they have hosted guest speakers and would continue to pursue community partners.
Ending: Board members praised the hands-on focus and student engagement and said they look forward to seeing completed STEM spaces in the new middle-school entrance.
