Battle Creek Schools to Preview the New STEM Program Saturday

Battle Creek Public Schools will be taking applications for next year’s brand new STEM Innovation Center later in February.   This Saturday is a chance for families to check out the program and see what it’s all about.

Deb Evans will be the Principal of STEM when it starts for 6^th graders in the Battle Creek Public Schools.   She was a guest on the 95.3 WBCK Morning Show with Tim Collins.

So what is the Battle Creek STEM Innovation Center?   Evans says, “It’s a new middle school here in Battle Creek, open to 6^th graders this fall.  It’s the first and only school of its kind in our region and we’re going to be focusing on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.”

Evans says, “Middle School is really a point of curiosity and they hope STEM will fuel some passion, get kids thinking and get them prepared for future careers in industry.”

The STEM program will start with 6^th grade and then later expand from there to 7^th and 8th grades.  It’ll be a school within a school, housed at Battle Creek Central High School.

Evans says, “It’s really going to be designed around teaching kids how to identify challenges, answer questions, solve problems----to really teach them how to think critically and teach them how to use science, math, technology and engineering as a way of living in context.“

This Saturday, they’re inviting 5^th graders across the Battle Creek area to come and actually experience sort of a mini STEM challenge.  “We really want to immerse them in what it would be like to be in a school where you’re working in teams, solving problems and creating designs.”   Parents are welcome to come and observe.

Who: Area 5^th graders and their parents

What: A STEM learning opportunity

Where: Battle Creek Math & Science Center

When: Two one-hour sessions, 10am and 1pm.

Cost: Free, but please register. 

Get more info on the Facebook page.

The program will take 60 students in the first year, and applications will be taken starting on February 25^th.    If more than 60 students apply, the school district will randomly choose the students for the program.