Maple Crest Elementary to be STEM, KEY Choice magnet in 2023
Also, photos from the Seiberling’s Christmas lighting celebration
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On Nov. 7 the Kokomo Center School Board approved re-opening Maple Crest Elementary School as a STEM choice magnet school. Superintendent Dr. Michael Sargent made the recommendation to the board as one way to expand the science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs in Kokomo Schools.
At present, Maple Crest Middle School is an Indiana Department of Education-certified STEM school and has been since 2016. Along with Maple Crest Elementary’s STEM designation, the school also will include a gifted and talented Kokomo Enrichment of Youth (KEY) program for children in K-5th grade.
STEM curriculums in the United States trace their history back to the 17th Century when the U.S. Congress passed the Morril Act of 1862 which established land grant universities that taught agriculture, and later, engineering. In the 2000s the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Director of Education and Human Resources, Judith Ramaley, coined the term STEM for this type of curriculum.
In a Kokomo Schools press release, Sargent is quoted explaining the importance of the designation.
“STEM is aligned with sound educational research related to engaging students while providing a learning environment for students who are seeking an approach based on STEM concepts, which focuses not only on Indiana Academic Standards; but also, on thinking, experimenting, and problem solving…” said Sargent. “I am confident these changes, including the new programs and options at Maple Crest Elementary approved by the Board, will continue to move Kokomo Schools forward in ways that will prepare our students for the changing world.”
The Maple Crest Elementary STEM and KEY curriculums are slated to roll out in the 2023-2024 school year with K-4th grades, and then in the 2024-2025 school year be open to K-5th grades.
According to Kokomo Schools, the Maple Crest Elementary program is a school choice program that will take applications during Spring 2023 enrollment and will be “open to qualifying students as space is available.” Enrollment applications will begin at the Early Child Enrollment Fair held in February 2023 and continue accepting applications until the beginning of Kokomo’s 2023 Spring Break.
For more information on Kokomo Center School’s STEM and other programs go to kokomoschools.com.
Historical Society kicks off Christmas with lighting at the Seiberling
Hundreds turned out on Nov. 26 to witness the lighting of the Seiberling Mansion for Christmas. The annual event from the Howard County Historical Society is the unofficial kick-off of Christmas festivities in Kokomo.
Lead sponsor Paul Wyman of The Wyman Group welcomed the crowd and ushered in the season with the assistance of Kokomo Mayor Tyler Moore and Santa Claus himself.
Tours of the fully decorated mansion take place during regular museum hours, 1-4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, as well as each Thursday and Friday in December from 4-8 p.m. at the Seiberling Mansion, 1200 W. Sycamore St.
A special “candlelight” self-guided tour evening will be held on Dec. 24. Admission is $10. However, admission to the event will be free on Dec. 1-2, 8-9, and 15-16, thanks to sponsors Community First Bank, Financial Builders, Ivy Tech Community College Kokomo, Holiday Inn Express, and First Farmers Bank & Trust.
Tickets can be purchased online. For more information, call 765-452-4314 or visit https://howardcountymuseum.org/programs/christmas-at-the-seiberling.