Renovated classrooms at Great Lakes Science Center new home of MC2 STEM High School freshmen

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Project made possible through funding from capital campaign managed
by Greater Cleveland Partnership's Economic Growth Foundation 

Cleveland, Ohio—Great Lakes Science Center will be home to the Cleveland Metropolitan School District’s (CMSD) MC2STEM High School freshman class for the next two years. The STEM school (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), resulting from a public-private partnership, is the first of its kind in Ohio as enabled by House Bill 119, which authorizes financial support and partnerships critical to the development of STEM education.

“This innovative partnership with Great Lakes Science Center will provide students with a dynamic, real world learning environment rooted in science, technology, engineering and mathematics,” said Dr. Eugene Sanders, CEO of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. “Our vision is to create opportunities and choices that will significantly impact teaching and learning; ones where students will be challenged with a rigorous curriculum. Through this collaboration, GLSC has helped CMSD move one step closer to realizing that vision,” continued Sanders. “I am excited about the experience that our students will have and I look forward to a continued partnership with GLSC, and other organizations like it, that value educational choice.”

“Great Lakes Science Center is a strong provider of informal STEM education for Northeast Ohio and beyond,” said Linda Abraham-Silver, president and CEO of the Science Center. “We are pleased to be one of only a few science centers in the country to host a STEM high school. STEM students will become well acquainted with the Science Center during their time here,” she continued, “maximizing the potential for students to return as volunteers or staff to interpret science during demonstrations and camp programs, which will facilitate the spread of scientific knowledge,” Abraham-Silver said. “This is an extension of our mission to support STEM workforce development.”

Classrooms will be located on the Science Center’s ground-level, overlooking North Coast Harbor. They will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology, soft seating areas and more to optimize the learning experience. Once the school opens, the floor will also be open to Science Center guests to view classrooms and student projects.

This significant renovation was made possible by funding provided by the capital campaign for the school being managed by the Greater Cleveland Partnership’s Economic Growth Foundation. The contributors to that fund include The Cleveland Foundation, The George Gund Foundation, Key Foundation, The Sherwick Fund, Parker Hannifin Foundation, Forest City Enterprises Charitable Foundation and Eaton Charitable Fund.

Approximately 100 students will be engaged by a dynamic, rigorous curriculum expanded by the Science Center’s resources and a project-based learning environment. This program helps students become innovators, logical thinkers and strong communicators, developing their ability to make sense of the world around them by applying STEM-related concepts and ideas across all disciplines, including the Arts and Humanities.

Teachers will work with students in small groups, challenging and supporting them as they are exposed to the kinds of design and implementation practices scientists and engineers use. Students will strive to achieve mastery of each level of work, meaning they will be able to articulate in multiple ways that they are confident and qualified to move on. Teachers assess student progress and provide feedback utilizing rubrics based on STEM core principles as students demonstrate their learning through portfolios, exhibitions, experimentation and performances.

The ultimate goal is to prepare students for a seamless transition to college or to enter a career in a STEM related field, which is key to the well-being of this community. According to Abraham-Silver, “Deeper and more immersive STEM education will play a pivotal role in driving the region’s economy forward.”

As such, students will attend school year-round, based on a calendar that models the STEM work world: students work for 10 weeks, have a three-week break and then repeat that pattern for four 10-week terms throughout the year.

Back to News