AMS, AHS named STEAM Designated

The Tennessee Department of Education and TN STEM Innovation Network announced today that Arlington Middle and Arlington High Schools are among the 27 schools statewide to be named STEM/STEAM Designated Schools! The Tennessee STEM School Designation recognizes schools for their commitment to integrating quality STEM teaching and learning practices for all students through technology integration, work-based learning opportunities and project/problem-based learning strategies.

The path to becoming STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) Designated is a highly competitive and rigorous application process that includes a self-evaluation, interviews and an on-site visit from the Tennessee STEM Designation review team. The on-site visits were held at AMS and AHS earlier this semester and included tours of various general education and STEM-based classrooms to show the reviewers how STEAM is incorporated into all classrooms.

In addition to the designation, each school will also receive $30,000 to further enhance STEAM learning in curriculums and lessons. AMS and AHS will also serve as models from which other schools may visit and learn how STEAM is integrated throughout the building.

Arlington High’s EPSO Specialist Shawna Segerson was quoted by the TDOE in a state-wide release saying, “The STEAM Designation solidifies that we are doing what is best for student learning. It showcases that every classroom in our building is providing the opportunity for the Thinking Process to be used and encourages our students to become thinkers. Obtaining the STEAM Designation means we will continue to be a STEM hub for others in our community to share our successes, learning moments and resources.”

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Today’s announcement also included additional recognitions for Arlington Middle School. Latisha King, an 8th grade Physical Science and STEM teacher, received the Excellence in STEM Teaching Award, the only teacher to be recognized statewide for this award. King and three of her students also won the 2022 Tennessee STEM Innovation Network’s Design Challenge for middle schools, which asked students to reimagine infrastructure in their community. The team, which included students Blake Cobb, Ashlynn Harrahill and Logan Hink, reimagined the Hernando de Soto Bridge in Memphis as being earthquake resistant and with a pedestrian walkway.