91°F
weather icon Mostly Clear

Garrett STEM certified by governor’s office

Photo courtesy Garrett Junior High
Last week, Garrett Junior High was named a Governor’s Designated STEM school. Pictured, from left, Jhone Ebert- Secretary of Education of Nevada; Ryan Pusko, STEM teacher; Garrett Principal Melanie Teemant; Mark Olson Garrett robotics and social studies teacher; Isabel Graf-Policy Advisor to Gov. Lombardo, and Brian Mitchell, director of OSIT.

It’s been three years in the making but all that hard work paid off this past week for Garrett Junior High.

During a presentation in Carson City, Garrett was named as a Governor’s Designated STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) School. They are now just one of 48 junior highs and high schools in the state to hold that distinction.

“I was teary-eyed to be honest,” Garrett Principal Melanie Teemant said when getting the word more than a month ago. “Mr. (Ryan) Pusko texted me asking if I had seen the email. Just the way he said it, I knew I needed to look at my email. I was very excited, especially when thinking about the whole journey we took to get to this point.”

Teemant said as a Governor’s STEM School, Garrett meets the highest standards of STEM instruction, serving as a model for schools across Nevada. This recognition highlights their commitment to integrating science, technology, engineering, and mathematics into student learning, preparing their Bobcats for future success in a rapidly-evolving world.

In order to be considered, the school had to submit a maximum 30-page report (only a two-page report was required in 2017) through the governor’s Office of Science, Innovation and Technology (OSIT), detailing everything they had done, which has included developing a master schedule to support STEM paths for learning. In addition, to align with this mission, Garrett developed a five-year strategic plan outlining goals to realize their STEM vision. Although the school intended to submit their 30-page application in the prior school year, the 2023 unexpected passing of their STEM teacher, Ben Franke, led to a temporary pause in their plans.

There are three categories in terms of the governor’s designation. Garrett now falls under the developing category. A school can then, two years later, apply to be considered established and finally for model. Each category opens the door for grants, other funding, staffing and resources. Those amounts increase with every category promotion.

When a school is interested in applying for the STEM designation, and if they meet the requirements, representatives from the state and school district visit a school and there, interview students and staff, walk the campus and address any questions they have pertaining to the application. This took place in January.

“The kids were very excited about this designation,” Teemant said, noting they started the application process this past October. “They kept coming up to me asking if I had heard anything. It was great to see their level of interest. Once they found out, they were very excited.”

Teemant said she is very proud of her students and staff and what they have been able to accomplish, considering they have an enrollment of just under 400. While it has been a group effort to get to this point, she wanted to point out members of their current STEM leaders’ academy led by Ryan Pusko, as well as Michelle Kazel, Robin Coppola, Mark Olson, Michelle Martens and Shalee Pusko.

“It’s been a real collaborative effort between our staff, OSIT and other schools,” he said. “I’m very proud of everyone.”

MOST READ
THE LATEST
Council parks parking proposal

In the end it was a case of sound and fury signifying nothing. At least not until June 10.

Council outlaws camping, sleeping in public

“A growing number of individuals are occupying public space across the valley and in cities all over the nation — including Boulder City — and are storing personal property and belongings in public places in a manner that causes concern and creates a public nuisance.”

A look at swim team’s state success

Continuing their tradition of being the gold standard of boys high school swimming in the 3A classification, Boulder City added on to its prestigious pedigree on May 17, successfully capturing their third consecutive state championship.

Honoring heroes

Photos by Ron Eland/Boulder City Review

City does U-turn on parking

Last week, the city posted on its social media outlets an invitation to the public to attend an open house May 19 to discuss its plans for parking along Nevada Way between Wyoming and Arizona streets. The plan called for parking in the center of the street.

Memorial Day events set for cemetery

The Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery will again host a ceremony to honor those who have lost their lives in service for the country whether it was during times of peace or wartime.

Robotics team scales high in 2025

The Boulder City High School High Scalers robotics team (AKA Team 3009) recently wrapped up another winning campaign with some big awards.