KINGSPORT, Tenn. - The Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE) and the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network (TSIN) has announced Kingsport City Schools George Washington Elementary School has received the Tennessee STEM School Designation for 2021. This honor recognizes schools for preparing students for postsecondary and future career success by committing to promote STEM and/or STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) learning for their students.

 

"I am so excited to have the work that has been going on at George Washington Elementary to be recognized at the state level," said Kingsport City Schools Superintendent, Dr. Jeff Moorhouse. "This has been a journey they have been on for a number of years and did not give up in the midst of challenging circumstances this year! The commitment to the vision created by Principal Heather Wolf and the faculty of George Washington is amazing!"  

 

The designation program is aligned to Governor Bill Lee’s Future Workforce Initiative and goal to triple the number of STEM-designated schools. "STEM-based education helps prepare students for future success in both their academic education and in their careers,” said Commissioner of Education, Penny Schwinn. “Governor Lee and the department are committed to providing students with STEM learning experiences to enrich their education, and we are thrilled to see the number of the STEM-designated schools continue to grow.”

 

"Our school has been on a journey for the past several years to implement a project-based learning model rich in real world problems and STEM practices," said George Washington Elementary School Principal, Heather Wolf. "It feels wonderful to have reflected on our practices and know that others recognize our efforts with this designation from TDOE and TSIN. Each effort we make in this area equips our students with skills for college, career, and life. Our dedicated staff has spent the past few years studying this approach and making shifts in our practices to ensure that our vision for our students is possible."  

 

“The job fields that will be in demand when our students graduate may not yet exist, but a strong grasp of core STEM concepts will best prepare them to be the next generation of innovators and job creators,” said House Finance Subcommittee Chairman, Gary Hicks. “I congratulate George Washington Elementary for this significant achievement and thank them for providing a pathway for students to learn more about the exciting careers available in science, technology, engineering, and math.”  

 

In addition to this designation lasting until 2026, a banner will be mailed to display, and a $10,000 grant from Governor Lee's Future Workforce Initiative will be given to the school to help continue the STEM/STEAM programs at George Washington Elementary.

 

Each school awarded the Tennessee STEM School Designation was evaluated through a rigorous application process including a self-evaluation, interviews, and hosting site visits with the Tennessee STEM Designation review team. The designation rubric included five focus areas: infrastructure, curriculum and instruction, professional development, achievement, and community and postsecondary partnerships.

 

George Washington Elementary is one of 13 schools in Tennessee to receive the designation this year.

George Washington Elementary School 2021 STEM Video https://youtu.be/YBUehyqQY_o 

 

Since 2018 when the program began, 61 schools have earned the Tennessee STEM Designation, which was developed in partnership with the STEM Leadership Council to provide a “roadmap” for schools to successfully implement a STEM and/or STEAM education plan at the local level. Schools that receive this honor also serve as models from which others may visit and learn. All K–12 schools serving students in Tennessee are eligible.

 

D-B EXCEL received the Tennessee STEM School Designation in 2018.