Originally published in WSFA 12, September 3, 2024
While most schools in Alabama have implemented STEM in the classroom, Pike County Schools is excelling.
It’s said that the future is STEM, and since that way of learning has been implemented in the classroom, post-secondary success has increased along with employment opportunities.
While most schools in Alabama have adopted the method, one district is excelling.
Out of 10,000 institutions in the Southeast, Pike County Schools is the first school district to be certified by Cognia for science, technology, engineering and math.
“Cognia is a global nonprofit that is dedicated to continuous improvement in all of our schools,” said Jeff Langham, Cognia Alabama’s regional director.
Cognia also certifies schools that meet all expectations providing STEM programs.
“They showed a commitment to a set of standards, of high-quality performance, and they met all the criteria that demonstrated they were serving their schools and their institutions to the highest level,” said Langham.
Pike County Schools Superintendent Mark Bazzell says this award has been something they have wanted for almost a decade, and it took implementing STEM in every aspect of education, from aviation to STEM teachings in the gym.
”Certainly a feather in our cap for Pike County Schools, but that’s not why we did it. We did it because we believe that there’s going to be huge benefits for our students,” Bazzell said.
Seventy-six schools in Alabama have been STEM-certified and other districts will soon be certified, but Pike County Schools was the first.
Bazzell says the district plans to add additional STEM programs in the future while expanding their dual enrollment program with 50% of their 10th-12th graders enrolled.