Bear Lake Middle School (BLMS) systematically meets Idaho STEM Standard 8, "Knowledge Exchange," by engaging with the broader STEM community through leadership roles, partnerships, grants, and innovative teaching practices. These efforts, including collaboration with the STEM Action Center, enrich the educational experience and promote knowledge-sharing.

SYSTEMATIC Approach

Structured: BLMS has a designated, paid STEM Leader position, created in 2017, to ensure a continuous flow of STEM best practices into the school. This leader attends various STEM-related trainings, including the IETA conference and Summer iSTEM externships, where they acquire new knowledge and methods. After attending these professional development opportunities, the STEM Leader shares insights with the staff through in-school training sessions and curriculum adjustments. This dissemination of knowledge ensures that BLMS is up-to-date with STEM trends and actively applies these learnings in classroom instruction and extracurricular activities.

Additionally, the school has received funding through several grants, such as the Idaho EcosySTEM grant, the IETA grant, and the INL grant (see Artifact #2). These funds support STEM initiatives like project-based learning (PBL), coding classes, STEM clubs, and school-wide STEM projects. The grants ensure that the school can offer innovative programs that benefit students and help maintain the school's STEM trajectory.

Monitored: BLMS ensures that program representatives consistently participate in community and professional development events. The school’s leadership monitors participation in initiatives hosted by the Idaho STEM Action Center, ensuring that key staff members attend and contribute to such events. The STEM Leader, for example, networks with other STEM leaders to share and gain knowledge about relevant opportunities. This approach ensures that BLMS staff are involved in ongoing professional development and can continue to refine their practices based on new trends and data.

CONSISTENT Approach

Ubiquitous: Across the year, BLMS encourages widespread participation in STEM-focused activities and professional development. Nearly all instructional staff members engage in activities that align with STEM standards, contributing to the ongoing development and dissemination of data, lesson plans, and best practices. The integration of STEM is seen in cross-curricular activities such as the Youth Astronaut Program with NASA, INL Engineering Day for Girls, the STEM Leadership Academy, and the STEM Club. These programs not only encourage student engagement but also provide platforms for teachers to exchange ideas and learn from each other. The leadership role of the STEM Leader in networking and sharing best practices further supports the consistency of STEM integration across the school.

Sustainable: BLMS has maintained and improved its STEM programs year over year. Initiatives like the STEM Leadership Academy and the STEM Club have proven successful, as evidenced by student participation and the successful application of skills, such as drone building and coding. The introduction of the STEM Leadership Academy elective empowers students to take charge of the school's STEM activities, further solidifying the school's commitment to long-term sustainability. Teachers participate in PLCs, which are structured to include peer-to-peer walkthroughs and feedback sessions on STEM-related practices, ensuring that these strategies are consistently improved over time.

Additionally, BLMS is committed to sustainability through its partnerships. For instance, the collaboration with Bear Lake Watch for environmental STEM projects fosters an ongoing relationship that benefits both the school and the broader community.

Evidence for On-Site Visit

During the on-site visit, the review team will have the opportunity to see firsthand how BLMS implements its STEM practices. Key evidence can be observed through:

●      Classroom Walkthroughs: Visitors can observe how teachers integrate STEM best practices into their lessons, particularly those learned through external professional development events.

●      STEM Programs: Active participation in programs such as the STEM Leadership Academy, STEM Club, and PBL projects. These programs highlight how students apply the engineering design process, a central theme in BLMS's STEM initiatives.

●      Community Engagement: The collaboration with community partners such as Bear Lake Watch and NASA offers concrete examples of how the school connects with the broader STEM community.