Knoxville L&N STEM Academy celebrates STEM Showcase with 100 Families

by CP

The Knox County L&N STEM Academy recently celebrated a milestone with over 100 families.  Located in the historic downtown L&N building, a restored train station with elaborate stained glass and 106 year old tile floors, the STEM Academy opened its doors to students in August and had its first STEM Showcase as this grading period ended in December.

Learning is dynamic, characterized by self-identified inquiry and puts students together in problem-solving group lessons that address real world problems.  Building a roller coaster by applying gravity, friction and velocity teach students and inspire lifelong learning.

Principal Becky Ashe was previously the director of curriculum at Knox County Schools and says that “Students are very empowered, they have a lot of freedom. They know if you want something that isn’t here, you have to ask for it.”

Students look forward to the technology, energy and challenges in this new school and engineers have been meeting with students eager to design a bridge walkway from the main building to their expanding labs  and teaching spaces in the building next door.

Golf, yoga, the local YMCA, cross-country and tennis keep students physically active while a chamber ensemble, concert band and art programming supplement the STEM curriculum.  Weekly trips to the East Tennessee History Center, Lawson McGhee Library and business neighborhood at the World’s Fair Park expose students to the culture and commerce of a bustling downtown.

iPads were donated for the 300 freshmen and sophomores enrolled this year but fundraising for next year’s student needs remains a challenge that the school faces.  The maximum capacity of 700 ensures that the remarkable education and integrated learning won’t be compromised by over-crowding as the smiles and successes bring more students to this innovative Knox County school.