Full “STEAM” Ahead for Marco Island Charter Middle School

The mission of the Marco Island Charter Middle School (MICMS) is “high academic achievement and responsible moral character for its students, achieved through relentless innovation to core disciplines, teachings and extracurricular activities and a vision to create a community-centered, state-of-the-art facility that promotes student participation in a stimulating learning environment that is positive, hopeful and exciting.”

“Creating a STEAM lab (Science, Technology, Education, Arts and Mathematics) as the hub of the school ties directly into both our mission and our vision,” according to Ms. Margo Heidenreich, Interim Principal. “At MICMS, we don’t just want to build a STEAM lab, we want to be a STEAM school,” she said. “It is an approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics as access points for guiding student inquiry, dialogue and critical thinking. STEAM is not about what, where, and when – it is about WHY and HOW!”

STEAM is about providing students with hands-on learning experiences to foster creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills, preparing for a future in STEAM careers. Students will be introduced to complex engineering, robotics, intermediate mathematics, and computer science as the job market of the future requires creative thinkers, innovators, collaborators, and communicators – all embedded in STEAM.

MICMS is going full “STEAM” ahead, focused and determined to make this dream happen with a goal of a STEAM lab opening in August 2024. Ms. Heidenreich and members of the MICMS Board indicated that their first step on their journey is to purchase two 3D printers. 3D printing offers real educational benefits of hands-on learning, innovation and problem solving. This technology is already being used in the real world and its use in education is essential in the 21st century. It can help students prepare for success in the future.

For art teacher Tori Parsloe, “integrating 3D printers into Art lessons enriches the educational environment by combining traditional artistic expressions with modern technological tools.”

In Jessica Falco’s seventh-grade science class, the students have a unit about human impact on Earth and a lesson about protecting our resources, which ties into renewable energy and cleaning up the ecosystem. Designing passive energy homes in the STEAM lab with a 3D printer would allow students to think creatively about solutions to ecological issues which may one day become a standard of living. 

Tyler Beck, a sixth-grade science teacher, shared that his students have projects where they have to design their own inventions, and the use of a 3D printer will expose his students to the modern ways real designers find solutions.

Cherise Loy, a MICMS board member and a parent of a creative, intelligent and easily bored student, says she is very excited about the STEAM initiative. This will provide avenues for her son and others like him to unleash their creativity and develop their talents.

Yvette Benarroch, Vice Chair for the MICMS Board, is looking at the addition of a STEAM lab as setting a vision for MICMS to be a beacon, a model of innovation and success that other schools aspire to emulate.  “With the growing emphasis on parental choice in Florida’s educational landscape, we have the opportunity to offer a unique, comprehensive learning experience that exceeds expectations,” Benarroch said. “By integrating STEAM, we are equipping our middle school students with a solid foundation, making MICMS the obvious school choice for parents who want the best for their children’s future. MICMS should be the gold standard for charter schools, recognized not just in our County but in Florida and nationally.”

Everyone is invited to join MICMS’ journey into becoming a STEAM school! Join them for a first-ever Country Jam on November 17th from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Veterans Community Park Amphitheater.