Putnam County recently achieved a historic milestone, becoming one of the first districts to secure STEM certification for the entire district, as certified by Cognia. This was recognition for their comprehensive and innovative K-12 STEM program. In this article, Superintendent Dr. Rick Surrency highlights Merge EDU's role in the program - serving as an integral tool that captivates student attention, enhances student engagement in STEM, and helps students visualize abstract concepts they are learning.

A Comprehensive STEM Approach

Putnam County Schools has implemented a robust STEM program that spans from kindergarten through 12th grade. The program includes:

- Weekly STEM classes for K-6 students

- Daily STEM classes for 6th graders and above

- Career path options in STEM for grades 7-12

This structured approach aims to build capacity in STEM early on, and maintains student interest and inspiration throughout their educational journey.

Bringing STEM to Life

Superintendent Surrency emphasized the importance of Merge EDU in their STEM curriculum:

"Using augmented reality brings things to life for our students," Surrency explained. "Our students have a lot of things competing for their attention. So having something that is engaging and 3D that looks real to them, is crucial. Seeing something on a textbook page is not sufficient anymore."

The immersive nature of Merge EDU allows students to:

- Hold and manipulate 3D objects and simulations

- Explore concepts visually and kinesthetically in greater detail

- Engage with subjects across various content areas

Easy Implementation and Teacher Approval

One of the key advantages of Merge EDU is its ease of use. Teachers appreciate that they can hand the technology directly to students, allowing for self-guided exploration. And because the platform covers a wide range of core content areas, teachers can incorporate it into a range of subject areas.

Surrency, a former history teacher himself, noted how Merge EDU can make historical subjects more engaging: "Kids get bored because things that happened years ago, they don't think it's relevant. But when they can have it come to life right there in front of them, it's different."

District-Wide Success

Putnam County Schools' commitment to STEM education has not gone unnoticed. The district recently became the first in Florida to earn a district STEM certification through Cognia, an organization that recognizes schools and systems that demonstrate a strong and effective STEM focus. This is a testament to their innovative approach and successful integration of tools like Merge EDU.

Looking to the Future

As Putnam County Schools continues to innovate and expand its STEM offerings, including the introduction of engineering classes where students build electric cars, Merge EDU plays an important role by helping students visualize and engage with complex concepts as tangible experiences.

Superintendent Surrency is optimistic about the long-term impact of this immersive technology on students' career aspirations: "I can't wait to see what the future holds for our district when students can say, 'I've seen that, I've touched it, and now I'm going to explore that in a career field.'"

By integrating Merge EDU into their comprehensive STEM curriculum, Putnam County Schools is not only enhancing student engagement but also inspiring the next generation of STEM innovators with the necessary skills and enthusiasm to thrive.