The U.S. Department of Education issued a $3 million award, through its Investing in Innovation Fund, in the hopes that the Cabarrus County’s K-12 science, technology, engineering, and math (or STEM) program will lead to a blueprint that other districts in the nation can emulate. Creating a workforce qualified for anticipated future STEM-related jobs has been a key concern in recent years for government and industry leaders. Cabarrus County decided to create a STEM-based curriculum for all grades to go through, and the emphasis on students from demographics who typically don’t choose STEM careers was enough to put it over the top for the win.
“What was novel about our approach was being very intentional about recruiting and promoting this STEM pathway with traditionally underrepresented groups, such as girls and minorities,” said Jason Van Heukelum, deputy superintendent of curriculum and instruction for the Cabarrus County Schools.
The district’s first STEM school, Coltrane-Webb Elementary, was intentionally chosen the program because of its larger percentage of minority and low-income populations.
“We intentionally placed the program at a Title I (high-poverty) school so that it guarantees this will be their program, regardless of whether they choose to or not,” said Van Heukelum. “We eliminated the choice by placing it in a school’s neighborhood that is already at risk.”
Students from other parts of the county may still sign up to fill any available spots left in the school’s STEM program.
At the end of the grant’s cycle in 2017, the district will provide the U.S. Department of Education with a step-by-step outline of its program for other school districts to use as their own.
Van Heukelum hopes the program will catch on.
“I think one of things we struggle in with K-12 education is really articulating the connection between school and career,” he said. “I think our work in STEM education will really help students have a clear understanding when they graduate from high school, thanks to our K-12 STEM program.”
