Whitesburg school receives international STEM award

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BRANSON MO NEWS: Whitesburg Elementary was one of only three schools to receive the STEM Excellence Award at the International STEM Expo in Branson, Missouri, on Oct. 10.Whitesburg was the only public school as well as the only elementary school to receive the award.The STEM School of Excellence Awards program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools whose faculty and administration have implemented a comprehensive integrated STEM education program at very high levels or have made significant progress or significant strides in achievement through the implementation of comprehensive STEM programs.“What we just received was recognition of more than three years worth of work from our team,” said WES Principal Dr. Marissa Ogando. “We have worked very hard to ensure that our children have the best possible education.In fact, we don’t want just the best, we want and strive to provide a premier education for our students.”Ogando said the school provides numerous STEM experiences for its students, including virtual reality field trips, schoolwide STEM Challenge Days, multiple clubs and two agriscience clubs.“This year our agriscience clubs are donating all of the fresh vegetables grown by their clubs and in our grade-level gardens to the Whitesburg Food Pantry,” Ogando said. “I truly believe that STEM education is a transformative vehicle for us to guarantee that our students are successful in the future by preparing them using 21st Century Education principles.”In addition to the clubs, STEM lab, integrated curriculum and STEM Challenge days, students are taught by high-quality educators. In December, Whitesburg Elementary will have five nationally STEM-certified teachers.“Eighty-five percent of our staff is Google Level 1 Certified Educators and we continually work to improve as educators with weekly professional learning,” said Ogando. “We are in the process of seeking AdvancEd and NISE STEM certification and we …