The Tennessee Department of Education and the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network have announced that Overall Creek Elementary, along with fourteen other schools, has received its STEM/STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) redesignation.
Overall Creek Elementary was one of the first elementary schools in Tennessee to receive the STEM designation in May 2018. Dr. Trey Duke, Director of Murfreesboro City Schools, commented, “This redesignation shows their commitment to an ongoing STEAM-based culture. They have led the way for many schools across Tennessee to embrace STEAM in their classrooms.”
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The school achieved this milestone under the leadership of Principal Jenny Ortiz and Assistant Principals Jennifer Whitlow and Jessica Snell. The redesignation acknowledges the schools’ efforts in preparing students for postsecondary education and future career success by promoting STEM/STEAM education. Ortiz mentioned, “STEAM is embedded in our instruction at Overall Creek. Thousands of students and families have walked the halls over the last five years to witness the myriad of deliberate and purposeful STEAM projects that highlight the everyday learning taking place at our school. Thank you to our staff and our community partners for helping achieve this success.”
Currently, Murfreesboro City Schools have nine schools with the STEM/STEAM designation: Overall Creek, Erma Siegel, Bradley, Reeves-Rogers, Cason Lane, Discovery, Black Fox, Hobgood, and Salem. Dr. Trey Duke said, “Our MCS five-year strategic plan calls for all schools to receive STEM or STEAM designation. This is a proven approach to teaching, and I’m proud that we are embracing, not just the acronym, but the practice of hands-on instruction as a model for success across our district.”
STEM/STEAM education is an interdisciplinary curriculum where activities in one class complement those in others. It offers teaching and learning opportunities focused on inquiry, technology, and project-based learning activities connected to the real world.
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