Marion Community Schools continues to ramp up our STEM offerings to provide students with unique and valuable opportunities. Recently, several MCS schools were recognized by Steve Wozniak’s Woz ED organization for the STEM pathways they are building.
Pathway Status recognition from Woz ED acknowledges the work that MCS is doing to provide relevant, future-focused education for our students. McCulloch Junior High School, Allen Elementary School, and Kendall Elementary School were honored earlier this school year. In the previous academic year, Frances Slocum Elementary and Justice Intermediate School were honored.
In connection with these honors, several educators attended the Woz ED annual conference to learn more about best practices and the innovations made possible through the Woz ED curriculum. They heard from tech and education experts, and they carried excitement and knowledge back with them to Marion to put to use in their own school buildings.
Marion Community Schools staffers pose for a photo with Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, founder of Woz ED, during the Woz ED Pathway Conference in November 2024. Pictured from left are: Greg Miller, Assistant Principal at Kendall Elementary School; Stephanie Purdy, teacher at Kendall; Paul Getts, teacher at Allen Elementary School; Steve Wozniak; Gary Herrington, teacher at McCulloch Junior High School; Scott Simpson, academic interventionist at McCulloch; Richard Bosquez, teacher at Allen; and Scott Hoeksema, Chief Technology Officer for Marion Community Schools. (Photo courtesy of Woz ED)
As MCS continues to add more STEM opportunities for students, we have added additional STEM teachers for the 2025-26 school year, including at Riverview Elementary School, which is continuing to build up its implementation of Woz ED resources. This expansion at lower grades aligns with the growing career pathways and STEM classes already offered at Marion High School and Grant Regional Career Center.
“We know that STEM education plays a fundamental role in building a strong foundation for lifelong learning,” said MCS Superintendent Stephanie Lockwood. “It can facilitate development of language and critical thinking skills. It can encourage self-discovery as well as independent and collaborative work. It enables the next generation of innovators. We are excited to continue to expand our STEM opportunities through the use of Woz ED curriculum. We are proud to be one of the first school districts in the state of Indiana partnering with Woz ED.”
About Woz ED
From wozed.com: In 1978, Steve Wozniak single-handedly built the Apple II computer, a computer that would change the way people interacted with technology. And now, Wozniak has turned his creativity and ingenuity toward education.
Woz ED has developed personalized learning programs so that learners can enroll, learn, master, get out into the workplace faster, and start a career in high tech.
Steve Wozniak changed the world with his innovations. Woz ED is dedicated to helping produce more like Steve.
Woz ED lessons are purposefully designed to build an engineering mindset while developing the soft skills employers value. Collaboration, problem solving, and critical thinking are inherent in every project.