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Lehighton Area Makes STEM Learning Fun

LEHIGHTON — Elementary and middle school students in the Lehighton Area School District learn science, engineering, math, and technology  in one of the be...
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LEHIGHTON -- Elementary and middle school students in the Lehighton Area School District learn science, engineering, math, and technology  in one of the best programs offered in the country.

That's according to the National Education Foundation that just named the district:  the "STEM+ Academy of the Year."

"Part of it is the staff and the dedication of the staff. Then the most important part is the kids, the kids really buy into it," said Lehighton Area School Superintendent Jonathan Cleaver.

It may be hard not to buy into the district's STEM program.

A teacher at the middle school demonstrated what a science class is like. In a special classroom, students put on 3-D glasses and can then dissect a human brain or heart using virtual reality software.

"That is correct! They pulled up a human heart, and as it beat, as it pulsated, you could feel that through this stylus," said Kenny Eck, STEM program teacher at Lehighton Area Middle School.

Eck said the key to the success of the STEM program has been making it fun and hands-on.

When students aren't learning through virtual reality, they are working on engineering projects, including building working model roller coasters.

The STEM+ Academy of the Year award comes with $10,000 that Lehighton Area plans to use to build more STEM classrooms.

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