News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Prescott Elementary School received a Tennessee STEM school designation by the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network.
Catherine Jones is the principal of Prescott Elementary.
“Just confirms that what we are doing are our best practices and they are research-based to support our students and get them prepared for the future,” Jones said. “There were times, we weren’t sure if what we were doing qualified or was meeting the needs of the students. We felt it was, but often, you know, feelings aren’t factual and so going through the process and being validated has been powerful.”
STEM designation allows for schools to better communicate and share the STEM education system, Jones said.
“We have a focus on education and career so that you understand that you are getting an education that will lead to a career,” Jones said. “And that specific educations will lead to specific careers.”
Jones said the STEM acronym gets thrown around a lot nowadays. Prescott Elementary uses a STEM education as a way to teach students about problem-solving and careers.
Prescott also teaches the difference between a job and a career and educates students on various paths of education, including college and trade schools.
“You don’t do STEM outside of school work, you do STEM within your school work. Everything thing that we do is standards-based, it is grand level appropriate and developmentally appropriate for the students. And so a kindergarten STEM experience is appropriate for kindergarten students. And it integrates the subject matter and the standards that are required at that grade level.”
STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and math. Prescott Elementary focuses on the critical thinking elements of each subject within the STEM field, Jones said.
