The Madill High School is adding new STEM programs to their curriculum. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) was introduced to Madill Public Schools in 2020.
After a bond was passed for it in 2019, the STEM building is ready and so are the students.
The new programs are aviation, CAD (computeraided design), and drones. They will start in the fall of the 2022-2023 school year.
These programs will provide a new way of learning and career paths. The students now have access to classes that are seen in vo-tech. It gives students more opportunities after high school than just college or the workforce.
Madill’s assistant football coach and teacher Josh Sisco will be the main teacher of the STEM programs. Sisco is certified in the CAD program and attended vo-tech before he went to college. Sisco said he is very excited for this position and he enjoys working with these programs.
“A lot of kids can’t afford college, and they don’t care to be in classrooms,” Sisco said. “Whereas here, they can be in a classroom setting, but also do something they’re interested in and make it a career.”
The director of student services Jamea Gilbert said she is also enthusiastic about introducing these new programs. She believes more students will benefit and succeed from the additions of STEM.
“The more that you add that benefits students, you will push more students to succeed,” said
Gilbert.
The Madill Public Schools superintendent Larry Case said he fully supports these courses and thinks they give our students an advantage towards career tech.
“We just hope to not only prepare kids for college, but for career tech and we feel this is a great first step for that,” said Case.
Along with the new programs, the high school will have state of the art technology such as flight simulators, 3D printers, drone cages, and more technology. These students will also have the ability to take certification tests before they leave high school.
This gives Madill High School students the opportunity to be ahead of other high school students. The STEM program has a trickle effect on the lower grades. The middle school already has beginner STEM courses and the elementary will watch high school students’ presentations on their projects.