MCAA Is Georgia’s First STEM School

The was designated as the first Georgia Department of Education (STEM) certified school Thursday.

“It is so important that we begin teaching students about STEM-related careers at the elementary level so we can capture students’ imaginations and interests at a young age," said State School Superintendent Dr. John Barge in a press release.

"What these students do in elementary school will carry over throughout middle and high school to increase our number of scientists, biotechnologists, engineers, medical specialists, computer scientists and other STEM professionals.”

Lockheed Martin also announced its formal partnership with MCAA through the Cobb Chamber of Commerce “Partners in Education” program on Thursday.

“Lockheed Martin is dedicated to furthering the reach of STEM education close to home and across the world. We want our educational initiatives to inspire students and shape our future—as a company and as a country,” said Shan Cooper, Lockheed Martin vice president and general manager for the company’s Aeronautics Marietta facility, in a release.

MCAA's STEM certification results from an application submitted by the school that must meet rigorous criteria, such as evidence of teacher collaboration, business/industry partnerships, high levels of math and science instruction, and an integrated STEM curriculum that is project based.

A team from the Georgia Department of Education visited the school to observe evidence that STEM instruction was occurring. The team was most impressed by the fact that every student receives science instruction every day and also engages in a daily STEM engineering challenge as an additional class.

In a ceremony at the school, Barge, local school system officials, two of the school’s business partners, Lockheed Martin and the American Society of Civil Engineers, and one of the school’s university partners, congratulated the elementary school on their extraordinary achievement.

Lockheed Martin Aeronautics’ facility has existing Partner in Education relationships with three other schools, including Lockheed Elementary School (), Harmony Leland Elementary () and South Cobb High School (Cobb County School District).