STEM Program

    stem
    stem
S.T.E.M.
Science, Technology, Engineering, Math

 • STEM FAQs
 • STEM Handbook
     CONTACT US
    durrantD. GARRETH DURRANT, Ed.D
STEM Coordinator
Phone: 903-927-8734
E-Mail: durrantd@marshallisd.com
     
Marshall ISD opened its STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Academy at South Marshall Elementary in the fall of 2014. This was the beginning of a program that will expand to the new Marshall Junior High School beginning with the 2017-2018 school year.

With the closing of South Marshall due to the Legacy 2017 building program, the K-5 elementary STEM program will move to a newly renovated facility at Sam Houston Elementary, formerly Sam Houston Middle School, in 2017-2018.

WHAT IS STEM?
For years, federal and state education leaders have been working on strengthening and improving our students' skills in science, technology, engineering and math. In order for U.S. students to compete in a 21st century workforce, they must be skilled in these areas.

STEM has become a focus area for our educational program. The purpose of STEM is to increase student inquiry and curiosity through engagement, higher level questioning, self-reflection and openness to new ideas, and respect for evidence characterized through scientific inquiry. The goals of the STEM program are to increase proficiency of all students in STEM and increase the number of students capable of pursuing a STEM career.

There are several reasons for implementing a STEM program, including:

• STEM jobs pay higher wages compared with the same degree counterparts in other jobs.
• Top 10 bachelor-degree majors with the highest median earning are all in STEM fields.
• Average annual wage for all STEM occupations was $77,880 in May 2009, which was significantly above the U.S. average of non-STEM occupations. 
• STEM jobs grew three times faster than non-STEM occupations.

MISD STEM VISION
The vision of the Marshall ISD Science, Technology, Engineering, & Math (S.T.E.M) program is to be a leader in STEM education, preparing and inspiring generations of diverse learners to meet the challenges of society through innovation, collaboration and creative problem solving.

MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Marshall ISD STEM program is to provide leadership, support and opportunities for all STEM stakeholders through the following initiatives:

• Develop STEM standards of practice, lessons and units that facilitate higher-level thinking.
• Implement professional development for STEM educators.
• Allocate funds for the implementation of STEM initiatives in Marshall ISD.
• Increase STEM participation from diverse populations.
• Collaborate and partner with other districts, businesses/industries, colleges, universities and technical institutions to promote and sustain STEM education.
• Develop skills utilizing electronic resources for STEM teaching and learning.
• Offer a quality education in an environment of democracy and equity.

CURRICULUM
The STEM curriculum is standards-driven and developed in collaboration with campus teachers, administrators and the Ingenuity Center. The foundation of STEM curriculum is based on Project-Based Learning (PBL) with 21st century skills embedded in daily lessons and schedules. Assessments are determined through the final product of the project. Grading is a standards-based system.