Lincoln STEM Elementary School will be honored with an Excellence in STEM Award, commonly known as a Stemmy, on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at the 21st annual sySTEMnow Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Lincoln STEM is being recognized in the Partnership category by STEM Forward, the host organization for the Stemmy awards. Other categories of recognition include: Education, winner Muskego High School; Employer, winner Generac; and Individual, winner is PhD candidate Maverick Berner attending Marquette University.
According to a press release issued by STEM Forward, “Lincoln Elementary School re-established itself as a STEM elementary school within the Watertown Unified School District (WUSD) in 2016. They [the school] couldn’t provide STEM opportunities within their school budget without the organization, planning, and support of parents, staff, and educators through the Lincoln STEM PTO.” The press release continued, “The Lincoln STEM PTO is a 501(c)3 organization established to help bring school families and staff closer to aid in enriching their student’s education. Together, they have created more engaging STEM experiences to start the love of hands-on, problem-solving learning early in their 4K-5th grade levels. Examples of [Lincoln] STEM resources and experiences include a magnetic construction gear board, light board, hydroponic grow supplies, grow tent fans and lights, Glowforge and 3-D printing items, funds for STEM-related books, passion projects and field trips.”
According to Lincoln STEM Principal Mark Getz, winning this Stemmy award recognizes the hard work, dedication, and resilience of the Lincoln staff and its incredibly supportive parents to bring specialized STEM learning opportunities to the youth of Watertown. “This award helps to recognize all of the hard work that our whole staff does in engaging students in the community and using STEM ideas outside of the classroom,” he said.
Jason Bull, WUSD director of Innovation, Data, and Technology, agreed. “Our district has embraced our Strategic Planning journey and remains founded in the ideals of honoring tradition, cultivating innovation, and embracing our transformation into the best district in the state of Wisconsin,” he said. “The students, staff and parents of Lincoln STEM Elementary School embody these ideals and are pioneers in the area of STEM education.” Bull added, “We are all proud of Lincoln STEM and realize the impact on learning will carry into middle school, high school and beyond.”
Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jarred Burke said Lincoln Elementary School’s exceptional STEM program, led by an outstanding staff, fosters creativity and problem-solving, inspiring students to excel in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. “Their innovative approaches equip students with real-world skills and a passion for the challenges of our future workforce,” he said. “Lincoln STEM has made Watertown a leader in education.”
STEM Forward is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and metro Milwaukee's leading STEM education and outreach provider. STEM Forward's programs, events, and activities inspire local youth to pursue STEM careers and provide a talent pipeline to businesses in southeastern Wisconsin. To learn more, visit stemforward.org