STEM @ River District Inaugural Ceremony

STEM @ River District Inaugural Ceremony
Posted on 05/19/2021
CISD STEM @ River District Ceremony

On Tuesday evening, the inaugural class of Castleberry ISD’s STEM Academy @ River District was celebrated. STEM is the application of science, technology, engineering and math to address the needs of the future. In February, the CISD Board of Education approved the creation of CISD STEM Academy @ River District. Following Board approval, district leadership began recruiting students in the graduating class of 2028 to join the new Academy. CISD STEM Academy @ River District will be housed inside Irma Marsh Middle School. 


CISD STEM Academy @ River District teachers will provide a rigorous educational opportunity for students with a focus on advanced science, math, engineering and technology. STEM practices will be integrated into all of the core content areas of language arts, math, and science. “As our world becomes more competitive on a global level, it becomes incredibly important that we prepare our students for critical positions in keeping the nation's infrastructure secure. The DFW metroplex ranks second on the list of best tech towns in the United States. We must ensure that Castleberry students have the opportunity to compete for the most in demand, high wage jobs in our area,” says Stephanie Martinez, CTE coordinator over STEM @ River District. These students will experience additional instruction in engineering, robotics, computer programming, and career exploration. 


When STEM Academy students reach high school, each will have the opportunity to earn up to 56 college credits prior to high school graduation. Martinez emphasized, “The STEM Academy @ River District can help prepare students for the challenging, rigorous demands of this [cyber security] career.” Upon graduation, STEM Academy students will have completed a CTE pathway focusing on cyber security and developed advanced academic and job skills that will prepare them for future endeavours, whether it be college, career or military in the field of cyber security. 


At the induction ceremony, each student was recognized, and provided a STEM Academy welcome bag. The welcome bag included a 190-piece solar powered robot kit with limitless options for creative expansion and construction. Throughout the summer and next school year, students will have challenges to complete at home using this kit. Students and families toured the recently renovated Irma Marsh Middle School and learned about the STEAM lab classrooms, which will be used for the academy. Families rotated through several stations, and had an opportunity to participate in STEM challenges, similar to the hands-on experiences students will engage in next year. 


Each year another class of 25 sixth grade students will be added. Look for information from CISD in winter 2021 to enroll your child in next year’s class. 

STEM ceremony stage view administrators congratulating studentsSTEM Ceremony stage view