Oasis Academy Designated as STEM Schools

Release from the Office of Governor -- Governor Steve Sisolak last week that 10 additional schools have met the requirements to be designated as an official Governor’s STEM School.  The 10 new schools serve urban and rural students throughout southern and northern Nevada. “With more and more innovative, high-tech companies doing business in Nevada, STEM education is more important than ever,” said Governor Steve Sisolak. “These ten schools embody the characteristics and practices of excellent STEM education that our students need to be prepared for careers and for life and I am proud to welcome them as the newest Governor’s STEM Schools.” The Advisory Council on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM Council) and the Governor’s Office of Science, Innovation and Technology (OSIT) developed the official Governor’s STEM School Designation based on national best practices to provide schools with a blueprint for integrating STEM into daily classroom instruction.  Designation as a Governor's STEM School denotes that the school meets the highest standards of STEM instruction and is a model for schools around the state.  For parents and the community, the designation also communicates the level of high-quality STEM education that can be expected at the school. "The Governor's STEM Schools exemplify the core concept that STEM education is more than just the individual STEM subjects, but also how these subjects are taught and integrated with other subjects,” said STEM Council Co-Chair and State Board of Education Vice President Mark Newburn. “In Nevada and across the nation, STEM jobs are growing faster than non-STEM jobs, and they pay nearly 50 percent more,” said OSIT Director Brian Mitchell.  “These schools are models for all of Nevada’s schools in preparing students with the problem solving, critical thinking, and teamwork skills needed for careers in Nevada’s growing STEM industries.” The ten schools receiving the designation are:

• Rodger D Gehring Elementary, Las Vegas
• Lied STEM Academy, Las Vegas
• Jim Bridger Middle School, North Las Vegas
• Carlin Combined School, Carlin
• Carson Montessori, Carson City
• Frank Lamping Elementary, Henderson
• Oasis Academy, Fallon
• Pinecrest Academy Cadence, Henderson
• Pinecrest Academy St. Rose, Henderson
• Smithridge Elementary, Reno

All K-12 schools in Nevada are eligible to apply for the designation.  Schools submitted an application that described their curriculum practices, learning environment, STEM instruction and integration, leadership, and stakeholder engagement.  Following a review of the applications, schools hosted a site visit by members of the STEM Council, OSIT, and other stakeholders to showcase their STEM practices. Designated schools will be honored at a recognition ceremony at the State Capitol in Carson City where they will receive a 10-foot banner signifying the designation.  Schools will also receive a digital seal that can be used on a website and other electronic communications.  Schools that applied, but did not receive the designation, are invited to join the STEM Leadership Academy.  Additional information about the Governor’s STEM School Designation and a complete list of designated schools can be found here: http://osit.nv.gov/STEM/Gov_Designated_STEM_Schools/ The mission of the Nevada STEM Advisory Council is to increase student interest and achievement in the fields of science, engineering, technology, and mathematics, leading students to rewarding careers in the new Nevada economy.  The STEM Advisory Council is charged with identifying and awarding recognition to students and schools throughout Nevada that excel in STEM.    Never miss the local news -- read more on The Fallon Post home page. If you like what we're doing, please support our efferts to provide local, independent news – contribute to The Fallon Post, your online news source for all things Fallon.