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New Northwest Indiana Initiative Aims to Boost STEM Success Across Local Schools
A fresh wave of educational investment is rolling into Northwest Indiana, with a new partnership that promises to bring hands‑on STEM learning to dozens of students across the region. The initiative, announced last week by the Northwest Indiana School District 27 board, will channel a $2 million state grant into a five‑year program that connects students, teachers, and industry partners at local high schools, community colleges, and a regional university.
The Grant and the Partners
The grant comes from the Indiana Department of Education’s “Future Ready Schools” fund, a program designed to close achievement gaps by boosting technology access and career‑ready instruction. In the news release distributed by the district, superintendent Dr. Angela Martinez said the money would be “divided among three main pillars: professional development for teachers, updated lab equipment for classrooms, and apprenticeship opportunities for students in partnership with local firms.”
Three organizations are already on board: Purdue University’s Northwest Indiana Outreach Center, a consortium of technology firms headquartered in the Gary/Calumet area, and the Gary Community College’s College–School Partnerships Office. Purdue will provide access to its engineering labs and a cohort of faculty volunteers who will mentor teachers and design curriculum. Local tech firms—including a start‑up that specializes in autonomous vehicle sensors and a long‑standing manufacturer of industrial automation—will offer apprenticeship slots, project‑based learning challenges, and internship pathways for senior students.
What the Program Looks Like on the Ground
The district’s board meeting, which was televised for the first time this year, outlined a phased rollout:
Professional Development (Year 1) – All science and math teachers in the district will attend a two‑week intensive workshop hosted by Purdue faculty. Topics include project‑based learning, integrating robotics kits into the curriculum, and data‑driven instruction. The district will reimburse teachers’ travel expenses, a detail that has drawn praise from the teachers’ union, the Northwest Indiana Education Association.
Classroom Upgrades (Year 1‑2) – $1 million of the grant will be used to purchase new robotics kits, 3D printers, and high‑speed internet upgrades. The district’s chief technology officer, Mr. Samuel Ortiz, explained that the focus will be on “equity”—the same high‑quality tools will be distributed to schools in the least‑served areas of the district, including East Chicago and Gary.
Apprenticeship & Internship Opportunities (Year 2‑5) – The remaining $500,000 will be allocated to “student‑centered” programs. Each of the district’s 12 high schools will be paired with a local industry partner, creating a pipeline of real‑world experience for students. The first pilot program has already signed a memorandum of understanding with a manufacturer of aerospace components, which will offer a three‑month internship to 20 senior students.
Curriculum Integration (Year 3‑5) – A working group, made up of teachers, university faculty, and industry advisors, will develop an interdisciplinary curriculum that blends traditional math and science with emerging fields like artificial intelligence and sustainable energy. The group will submit a model curriculum to the Indiana Department of Education for potential state adoption.
Student and Teacher Voices
The board meeting featured testimonials from students and teachers who have worked on the district’s prior “Innovation Labs” program. 17‑year‑old Jordan Reed from East Chicago High School, a member of the robotics team, described how the previous program had “opened my eyes to what I can actually build.” He added that the new partnership would give him a chance to design a prototype for a sustainable water‑filtration system with a local firm.
Teacher Ms. Lisa Kwon, a veteran math instructor, noted that the biggest hurdle has always been “access to up‑to‑date resources and a curriculum that feels relevant.” She expressed optimism that the new grant will help her “bring concepts to life” for students who might otherwise find math abstract and unconnected to real‑world careers.
A Broader Push for Equity
The program’s emphasis on equity is reflected not only in the distribution of funds but also in the district’s broader strategy. The board’s finance chair, Ms. Maria Lopez, highlighted that the district will set up a “Student Equity Dashboard” to track the academic progress of students from low‑income households. This data will inform decisions on resource allocation and targeted interventions, ensuring that the benefits of the STEM initiative are felt across all demographics.
The initiative also aligns with state‑wide efforts to increase STEM enrollment. A linked article in the NWI Times cites a recent Indiana Department of Education report that shows a 3.2% decline in high‑school students enrolling in STEM courses over the past five years. The new program aims to reverse that trend by making STEM more engaging and connected to local job opportunities.
Community and Economic Implications
The economic potential of this partnership has been a major point of discussion. Local business leaders emphasized that a workforce equipped with modern STEM skills will attract new companies to the region and help keep existing firms competitive. A representative from the Gary Chamber of Commerce said, “We’re seeing more tech companies headquartering in the region. They’re looking for talent that can hit the ground running. This program is a pipeline that ensures we’ll have that talent.”
Moreover, the partnership could create a positive feedback loop: as students graduate with robust STEM skills and apprenticeship experience, they are more likely to stay in the area for college and work, reinforcing local economic resilience.
Next Steps
The board voted unanimously to approve the funding allocation, and the district will begin implementation in the upcoming academic year. A pilot test is scheduled to start in September, with the first cohort of teachers undergoing professional development in October. The district has set a goal of having all 12 high schools fully equipped and integrated into the partnership by the end of Year 2.
As the district rolls out this ambitious plan, local reporters—including the NWI Times—will be closely monitoring progress. The district has promised monthly updates on the initiative’s implementation and outcomes, including early data on student engagement, test scores, and apprenticeship placement rates.
In a region that has long relied on manufacturing, this new educational partnership represents a strategic pivot toward knowledge‑based industries. If the project meets its ambitious goals, Northwest Indiana could become a model for other mid‑size regions seeking to bridge the gap between education and the evolving demands of the workforce.
Read the Full The Times of Northwest Indiana Article at:
[ https://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/education/article_293d788e-0930-4b74-8113-91f176c40c9a.html ]