STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math and is works to integrate all subject areas into a project-based learning environment. In STEM, we focus on real-world problems that our students notice. This is a student-led, problem-based, cooperative learning program that involves creativity, 21st century skills, and innovative thinking. The students are engaged, excited, and proud of their hard work!

St. Mary's is proud to be a STEM-Designated School by the State of Ohio and excited to be partnering with Discover Education over the next three years to help our faculty and staff be better prepared to bring STEM principles into your children's classroom.

We have partnered with many companies to better our program, including presentations by Ohio EPA and planned field trips to Barnes Nursery and Laszeray Technology. Lorain County Community College, Dr. Craig Chapple, Zenith Energy, Energy One, Rene’ Myers at Vermilion Middle School, Charlie Trinter of St. Mary Parish and others have helped our students make STEM connections to our local community.

In the spring, our 6th graders prepared a newscast, covering everything from the weather to sports to pop culture! They wrote the news scripts, worked the cameras, prepared graphics and did all the presenting.

A real world problem that the students noticed at St. Mary was too much food waste.  Through research and discussion, they decided we should compost at our school! The compost will be collected at lunch and be used in our gardens to feed our community. Currently the 4th, 5th, and 6th graders are researching and designing what they want the compost station to look like outside, as well as the recycle center in the cafeteria

Our students decided to research local orchards. Individually, students visited orchards in the area and interviewed the owners and asked questions. Fourth graders engineered designs to catch apples and keep them from falling and getting bruised, while 5th and 6th graders connected their apple experience with their classroom assignment on Ancient Egypt by mummifying apples and discovering which environment worked best! Students also created graphs and analyzed the data to determine the largest negative factor farmers in this area face (it's weather, in case you're wondering).