Business View Magazine June 2023

183 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 10, ISSUE 6 EAST PORTER COUNT Y SCHOOL CORPORAT ION for us. We opened the STEM lab this year, and we didn’t have to go into the pocketbook of the school, we could go to those businesses and those community members that are invested in us.” She notes that the school had to think creatively and utilize community support to achieve its goals, and they are proud of this accomplishment, especially as a small school with limited financial resources. “We have to be thinkers. It takes time to pull something like that off, but at Morgan, our community support, when you have a vision and a goal, is incredible. We do have the luxury of asking for support and getting that in return. So, we’re really proud of that, and of trying to stay up to date with the times.” Sue Lipinski, Washington Township High School Principal, discusses the implementation of engineering and STEM programs which began with a passionate teacher, and a generous $10,000 donation from a local steel mill. She recounts, “We set a proposal, we reached out to them, and we were able to start buying some robots.” Although Project Lead the Way provides comprehensive STEM education and curriculum to schools in Indiana, the teacher initially had to come up with his own robotics curriculum, which he willingly agreed to. “The next year we applied for Project Lead the Way grants, and we were given $20,000 at the high school. With that, we really grew a very cool program. He went to training, there was no extra pay. He gave up a week in the summer, stayed on college campuses, we were finding money for him to do that,” Lipinski conveys. “A couple of years later, we applied at the middle school for another grant, and again, I had teachers giving up their time in the summer. Now at middle school, I have three rotations. I have kids in a medical detective course in sixth grade. We have an app creator class where kids are coding. We have another class where kids are creating their own new inventions through Project Lead the Way, and that is along with our two high school engineering courses.” The success and credibility of these initiatives led to additional funding and support from the school board. As a result, a new room was built in the high school building specifically for the science and STEM programs, equipped with computers, a designated area for working with robots, and ample storage space. This has not only showcased the school’s commitment to STEM education but also generated increased interest and enthusiasm for STEM within the community. Assistant Superintendent, Alissa Schnick acknowledges that being a small district may have meant limited opportunities for students in the past, but now they are focused on providing competitive advantages that prepare students for future pursuits. She says, “When they look at their future as far as college or career schools, even if they’re looking at going into a certification, it gives us the chance to really help our students have that leg up as they go on to further education or out into the workforce. I believe that our community is definitely in support of that, and we see that it starts at the elementary level. We make it a priority by trying to find the