The Meridian Technology Center STEM Academy was named a Distinguished High School by Project Lead the Way for its Biomedical Sciences and Pre-Engineering programs. This is the sixth consecutive year that the school has received this designation.

PLTW is a national program that provides transformative learning experiences for students and teachers across the country. It focuses on developing problem-solving skills by immersing students in real-world preparatory-level academics. The Distinguished High School award recognizes schools committed to increasing student access, engagement and achievement.

“We are honored to receive this recognition once again,” said Meridian Superintendent/CEO Dr. Douglas Major. “The Biomedical Sciences and Pre-Engineering programs that make up the STEM Academy provide a way for students across our district to have access to advanced STEM curriculum and advanced placement math and science courses that prepare them for college and their career.”

To be eligible for the Distinguished High School honor, schools need to meet several requirements. The award requires schools to offer at least three PLTW courses, have more than a third of students enrolled in multiple PLTW courses and have at least 70 percent of students earn a proficient or higher score on end-of-year assessments.

Meridian’s STEM Academy

Meridian’s Pre-Engineering program began using the PLTW curriculum in 2009. The program includes aerospace engineering, civil engineering and architecture, computer integrated manufacturing, computer science principles, digital electronics, environmental sustainability and engineering design and development.

PLTW curriculum engages students in interdisciplinary activities like working with a client to design a home, programming electronic devices or robotic arms or exploring algae as a biofuel source. These activities not only build knowledge and skills in engineering but also empower students to develop essential skills such as problem-solving, critical and creative thinking, communication, collaboration and perseverance.

The PLTW Biomedical Sciences program was added in 2015. The program is a four-course sequence where students study and investigate human medicine, physiology, genetics, microbiology and public health concepts. Students also explore a range of careers in biomedical sciences as they learn through real-world, hands-on activities, projects and problems.

Core courses in this program include principles of biomedical sciences, human body systems, medical interventions and biomedical innovation.

Last school year, there were 132 students enrolled in the STEM Academy. Students may enroll as a sophomore, junior or senior. Depending on their high school, students may get academic credit in Honors Algebra II, Trigonometry/Pre-Calculus, Anatomy and Physiology, AP Calculus, AP Physics, AP Statistics, and AP Chemistry.

For more information on career training programs available at Meridian, visit meridiantech.edu/programs.

About Meridian

Meridian Technology Center has been a driver of economic development since 1975. With a mission to educate, enrich lives and secure economic futures, Meridian offers full-time career training programs, short courses, workforce and economic development assistance and entrepreneurial support to residents from the Agra, Carney, Glencoe, Guthrie, Morrison, Mulhall-Orlando, Pawnee, Perkins-Tryon, Perry and Stillwater school districts. The school has locations in Stillwater and Guthrie. Meridian is one of 29 schools within Oklahoma’s CareerTech system.