For Pitt County Schools (PCS) STEM is more than science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It is also strategies that engage minds through hands-on, active involvement in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education that promotes essential cognitive skills for the 21st century. STEM happens in all classrooms.
STEM instruction goes beyond textbooks and embraces the 4 c’s of 21st century learning – critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity. Critical thinking involves questioning, analyzing and problem solving. Communication is the bridge to connect brilliant ideas to the world. Students share discoveries and engage in meaningful dialogue that drives progress. Breakthroughs are not achieved in isolation. Collaboration is the heartbeat of STEM. Students work in teams bringing diverse perspectives to the table. Creativity is the spark that transforms information into innovation. Students are encouraged to explore uncharted territories.
STEM in PCS has 4 pillars – NC STEM Schools of Distinction, Teacher Leadership, Student Competitions and Opportunities and Community and Industry Partners. 38 schools in NC have an active NC STEM School of Distinction Recognition. Three of those schools are in Pitt County – Eastern Elementary, Wellcome Middle, and Innovation Early College High School. These schools align work in their schools to five overarching principles – student opportunities, classroom environment, school structures, school culture, community connections. There is a lengthy process to go through to receive a NC STEM School of Distinction designation.
Teachers are the catalyst for inspiring the next generation of STEM professionals. Teacher leaders serve as mentors and role models. Several teachers have been accepted into programs of leadership with a 1 year commitment. Five PCS teachers are Kenan Fellows Program Teachers. There are also five teachers who are currently North Carolina Space Education Ambassadors. One additional teacher is a STEM Educators for Equity and Diversity Fellows participant, partnering with other educators across the state to ensure diversity, equity and inclusion within STEM. This school year teachers at CM Eppes Middle, Wellcome Middle and Innovation Early College High School are part of an international project called Plant the Moon where they will design an experiment to grow plants on the moon. Select teachers at Eastern Elementary, WH Robinson Elementary, Northwest Elementary, Lakeforest Elementary, Wellcome Middle, Ayden Middle, and CM Eppes Middle are Kenan Fellows STEMwork Scholars, having completed online modules on project based learning and are integrating STEM standards into encore classes curriculum.
Students in PCS have access to various competitions and opportunities including: NC Science Olympiad, ECU College of Engineering and Technology Department of Technology Systems Renewable Energy Summer Camp, and FLL First Robotics. Community and Industry Partners help make STEM in PCS possible. A small sample of the community and industry partners include Carolina Seasons Nursery, ThermoFisher, Bateeni and Yaba, Grady White Boats, Greenville Utilities, STEM East, Pitt County Sheriff Department, ECU Dental School, ECU National Society of Black Engineers to name a few. There are many other community and industry partners that support STEM in PCS.
