Mahoning Valley's first STEM academy to open this month

Staff report

CANFIELD

The Mahoning Valley’s first state-designated STEM school opens Aug. 22, bringing hands-on learning to its 92 students.

Valley STEM+ME2 [science, technology, engineering and mathematics and manufacturing and energy with an emphasis on entrepreneurship] Academy, located inside the Mahoning County Career and Technical Center, includes freshman and sophomore students from throughout Mahoning County.

The academy follows a Project Lead the Way curriculum. PLTW is a non-profit organization that develops STEM curriculum. The curriculum includes courses in engineering, computer science and robotics as well as the more traditional, such as English language arts.

Classes will link together. More courses will be added to meet students’ interests.

“It’s fluid,” said Mara Banfield, the academy’s director. “Those decisions will be made based on the interest level of the kids.”

Read the full story Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com