PHOTOS: Hawks Nest earns school of distinction award

    VIDEO: Hawks Nest earns school of distinction award

    • Hawks Nest STEAM Academy celebrates N.C. STEM School of Distinction award

      Hawks Nest STEAM Academy rolled out the red carpet to celebrate its two-time recognition as a North Carolina STEM School of Distinction.  Hawks Nest is one of only nine elementary schools in the state to be honored as a state-level model school for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education.

      During a schoolwide celebration on October 24, students, teachers/staff, and special guests gathered to bring attention to the coveted honor and why STEM education is so important.  The ceremony included speeches, special entertainment by the Forestview High School drumline and cheerleaders, STEAM-related demonstrations by students, and music performances.

      “At Hawks Nest, science, technology, engineering, and math, along with the arts, show up in everything that we do in our classrooms,” said principal Nicole Lawson, who accepted the North Carolina STEM School of Distinction award and banner during what was a highlight of the ceremony.  “We are all about STEM and STEAM education – and that is why we are a model school for North Carolina.”

      The program began 10 years ago; officials with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, along with leaders in education and representatives from the business community, came together to establish the program as a way to identify, recognize, and honor schools in the state that have made a deliberate commitment to STEM education with proven results.

      Becoming a STEM School of Distinction involves a rigorous application and review process.  The evaluation is based on five overarching principles: Student Opportunities, Classroom Environment, School Structures, School Culture, and Community Connections.  Each principle is reviewed and graded as either Early, Developing, Prepared, or Model.  Being a model school is the highest level a school can achieve.

      According to Lawson, at a STEM School of Distinction like Hawks Nest, in addition to the core curriculum, there has to be a concentrated effort on teaching life skills that students need in today’s world – skills such as creative thinking, reasoning, and teamwork that are necessary for success beyond elementary school. 

      Lawson, who is in her first year as Hawks Nest principal, credited former principals, Dr. Jill Payne and Tammy Mims, for their work that led to the school earning model STEM school status twice, first in 2020-2021 and again this school year. 

      “I have learned that the application and review process is time-consuming, difficult, and demands a lot of attention and information about what the school is doing to integrate STEM concepts and strategies across the curriculum,” explained Lawson.  “Schools that earn the STEM School of Distinction status distinguish themselves in the implementation and integration of STEM approaches to leading and learning.  It is one of the most comprehensive evaluation processes for a school.  And, a school cannot rest on its laurels – you have to keep everything going at a very high level because the review process happens every three years.”

      Currently, in North Carolina, there are only 39 schools that have obtained the North Carolina STEM School of Distinction status, including Hawks Nest.  Of the 39 STEM Schools of Distinction, Hawks Nest is one of the 21 model schools (the other 18 are STEM prepared schools) and one of only nine elementary schools with the model school status.

      “This shows how significant this honor is for Hawks Nest, our school system, and our entire community,” stated Superintendent of Schools Morgen Houchard.  “To think that we have a STEM model school right here in аæèßäapp is incredible.”

      This is the second time that Hawks Nest has earned the North Carolina STEM School of Distinction status.  The first time, the school could not have a big celebration because of the pandemic.  Dr. Houchard told the students, teachers, staff, and guests gathered for the ceremony: “So, today, we are celebrating twice as much.”

      Lawson added, “I am honored to be the principal at Hawks Nest, and although this is my first year here, it did not take long for me to realize that this is one of the best schools in North Carolina – and the STEM model school award that we are celebrating proves it.”

      â–  Watch the ceremony on TV
      The North Carolina STEM School of Distinction celebration at Hawks Nest STEAM Academy was recorded, and the video will air on Spectrum Cable Channel 21, the education station for аæèßäapp, the week of November 18-22.  The video also will be available on the аæèßäapp website and YouTube channel.