Ladoga Elementary School
What STEM means at Ladoga Elementary School
At Ladoga Elementary School, we envision a future where every student develops the curiosity, confidence, and problem-solving skills needed to thrive in an ever-changing world. Guided by Southmont Schools’ commitment to providing challenging and dynamic learning experiences, we are dedicated to creating engaging STEM opportunities that inspire students to explore, create, collaborate, and discover the connections between their learning and the world around them.
Our STEM program is built on hands-on, inquiry-driven learning experiences that encourage students to think critically and apply their knowledge in meaningful ways. Through integrated STEM instruction, students engage in real-world challenges that develop communication, collaboration, creativity, and perseverance while building strong academic foundations. Students are encouraged to ask questions, test ideas, design solutions, and reflect on their learning through project-based and problem-solving experiences that make learning active, relevant, and engaging.
Ladoga Elementary School is committed to fostering a culture where innovation and curiosity are celebrated at every grade level. Students participate in age-appropriate engineering, technology, and computational thinking experiences that help build confidence and foundational STEM skills from an early age. By integrating collaboration, responsibility, and self-direction into daily instruction, students begin developing the durable skills necessary for future academic success and career readiness.
Our educators create supportive and student-centered classrooms where exploration, reflection, and creativity are essential components of learning. Through collaboration among staff, ongoing professional growth, and responsive instructional practices, Ladoga Elementary ensures that every student is supported and challenged to reach their full potential. Families and community members remain important partners in creating a learning environment that values innovation, engagement, and lifelong learning.
Above all, Ladoga Elementary School will be recognized as a place where students are empowered to become confident learners, thoughtful problem solvers, and compassionate leaders who are prepared to succeed in future STEM learning and positively impact their community and world.
What makes our STEM program stand out
Literacy & STEM
Connections
Students at Ladoga Elementary School engage in authentic cross-curricular learning experiences that connect literacy and STEM in meaningful ways. For example, after reading classic fables in CKLA, first graders became problem-solvers by designing shelters for sheep, nests for golden eggs, and new milk pails inspired by the stories they explored in class. These hands-on learning experiences strengthen reading comprehension while encouraging creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking through real-world application.
Inspiring Future STEM Leaders
Ladoga Elementary School is committed to creating STEM opportunities that inspire all students to see themselves in future careers. For example, students in grades 3–5 participated in “Mountie Women Inspire: Women in STEM,” where they learned directly from female professionals across a variety of STEM-related fields. Through hands-on experiences and meaningful conversations, students explored careers in healthcare, technology, engineering, environmental systems, food science, and community services. Experiences like these help encourage underrepresented groups in STEM, empower female students to dream big, and show students that STEM opportunities are accessible, exciting, and impactful.
Community Partnerships & Real-World STEM Learning
Ladoga Elementary School values strong community partnerships that create authentic STEM learning experiences connected to the real world. Through opportunities like Greater Lafayette Commerce’s Manufacturing Week, students engaged in hands-on problem-solving activities using augmented reality technology to diagnose and complete electrical circuits. Experiences like these allow students to apply STEM concepts in meaningful ways while building confidence, critical thinking skills, and early awareness of future career pathways. By partnering with local organizations and industry leaders, the school helps students see how STEM learning connects directly to their community and future workforce opportunities.
Ladoga Elementary School is part of the South Montgomery Community School Corporation, located in Ladoga, Indiana. The school serves approximately 182 students in Pre-K through 5th grade, providing a supportive and engaging learning environment focused on academic growth, student opportunity, and meaningful real-world learning experiences.