Two Michiana school districts earn STEM grants from Department of Education

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. - Two school districts in Michiana were chosen as STEM Integration Grant recipients by the Indiana Department of Education.  

Both the John Glenn School Corporation and the Union-North United School Corporation in St. Joseph County were awarded grant funding, which supports Indiana schools in integrating STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) learning opportunities into the classroom.

John Glenn received $48,638 to support STEM activities.

Union-North United was awarded $50,000 in funding.

The Department of Education awarded nearly $2.2 million to school districts statewide.

Of this year's recipients, 60% plan to use the money to develop or improve already established STEM infrastructure in order to apply for the STEM Certified Schools program, which recognizes schools for STEM-based achievements.

“Through STEM education, our students are building skills that will serve them throughout their life, including problem solving, critical thinking, communication and digital literacy skills," said Dr. Katie Jenner, Indiana Secretary of Education. “We also know that these important skills are essential to meeting the needs of our state’s future workforce. The STEM Integration Grant helps Indiana schools continue to grow their capacity to provide high-quality STEM education, provide early exposure to STEM career opportunities and ultimately, set students on the best possible path for future success, both in life and in their career.”

The STEM Integration Grant was first launched during the 2018-2019 school year as the STEM Acceleration Grant.

Money comes from state appropriations to the Department of Education for STEM program alignment.

More than 170 schools have received funding since 2018.