What STEM means at Washington Jr. High School
At Washington Junior High School, STEM learning serves as a foundation for inspiring excellence and developing the leaders of tomorrow. Aligned with Washington Community High School’s vision of preparing all students to reach their full potential, STEM at the junior high level focuses on building confidence, curiosity, and purpose through meaningful, real-world learning experiences.
Our STEM direction emphasizes authentic, rigorous challenges that move learning beyond standardized measures and into problem solving that matters. Through inquiry-based, interdisciplinary experiences, students develop critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills while learning to apply knowledge responsibly and creatively. These experiences prepare students to enter high school ready to engage deeply in advanced coursework, pathways, and leadership opportunities.
Washington Junior High School is committed to creating a positive, inspirational culture where every student is supported and challenged. Teachers and staff work collaboratively to design learning that is relevant, engaging, and developmentally appropriate, ensuring students build strong academic and personal foundations. STEM learning empowers students to see themselves as capable problem solvers, effective collaborators, and emerging leaders.
Leadership at Washington Junior High School begins with opportunity. By engaging students in hands-on learning, reflection, and real-world application, STEM experiences help students develop ownership of their learning, perseverance through challenge, and respect for diverse perspectives. These habits and skills align seamlessly with the expectations students will encounter at Washington Community High School and beyond.
Guided by a shared commitment to excellence across Washington Community Schools, Washington Junior High School’s STEM direction ensures students are prepared, confident, and inspired, ready to transition into high school with the skills, mindset, and purpose needed to positively impact their communities and the world.
What makes our STEM program stand out
STEM Implementation K-12-to-Career
STEM is a pillar to the WD approach to education and preparing students as functioning members of the community by being exposed to the increasingly technology driven world. Between the three STEM labs, every student is exposed to the career opportunities available with STEM.
STEM Promotion
STEM Day and other events throughout the year expose students on what is to come as
their educational journey in the building continues. Elementary students are exposed to
opportunities at the high school, and high school students are exposed to industry
employers looking for talent or mentorship opportunities.
Diversified Options for all Secondary Ed Students, College and Workforce Bound
WD hosts several different NLPS pathways that allow students to explore their interests in
engineering, digital media, cybersecurity, information technology, business operations, and more. There is not another school of this size offering such a vast array of career exploration
opportunities.
Exploring Careers, Pathways, and Possibilities
Washington Junior High School prepares students for life beyond graduation through a dedicated College and Career class and high-impact experiential learning opportunities. Beginning in middle school, students explore career interests, build future-ready skills, and learn how their strengths connect to real-world professions. A cornerstone experience is Job Spark, an interactive career expo where 8th graders engage directly with professionals from a wide range of industries, gaining firsthand insight into diverse career fields and the skills needed to succeed.
To support a smooth and confident transition into high school, students also participate in a High School Preview Day, touring the building, meeting teachers, and discovering available career pathways, electives, and STEM opportunities. These early exposure experiences help students make informed decisions about their academic journey while building excitement for the future. Through intentional career exploration and hands-on learning, Washington Jr. ensures students are prepared, empowered, and ready to pursue their goals.
Applied STEM Learning
Washington Jr. High School delivers powerful Applied STEM learning through its Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Gateway courses, including Automation and Robotics, Computer Science, Design and Modeling, and Medical Detectives. These courses immerse students in real-world problem solving, engineering design, and computational thinking while building a strong foundation in technical skills. Through hands-on projects and collaborative challenges, students develop the confidence and curiosity needed to succeed in advanced STEM pathways.
Students also gain early exposure to microelectronics across multiple classes and explore creative problem-solving in the school’s dedicated Design and Innovation Studio. This immersive learning environment gives students access to professional tools, prototyping materials, and design technology, allowing them to experiment, build, and iterate like real engineers. By the time students enter high school, they are already fluent in design thinking, engineering processes, and applied technology, fully prepared for the next level of STEM learning.
VEX IQ Robotics program
Washington Junior High School launches students into the world of robotics through its VEX IQ Robotics program, open to all 7th and 8th grade students. This hands-on, team-based program introduces students to the fundamentals of engineering, coding, and problem solving as they design, build, and program competition-ready robots. Students learn to think like engineers while applying math, science, and technology skills to real-world challenges.
As part of Washington’s K–12 robotics pathway, VEX IQ serves as a powerful foundation for students who will later advance into the district’s FIRST Robotics Competition program at the high school level. Along the way, students build confidence, collaboration skills, and technical fluency while developing a passion for innovation and design. Through robotics, Washington Junior High is preparing the next generation of engineers, programmers, and problem-solvers, one robot at a time.
Our Current STEM Focus
Our mission is to help schools define, grow, and share powerful STEM programs that align with local needs while meeting global standards. Indiana STEM exists to remove the roadblocks to certification and provide schools with a strategic partner committed to lasting, student-centered growth.
Washington Jr. High School
Washington Junior High School is part of the Washington Community Schools district in Washington, Indiana. The school serves around 357 students in grades 7 and 8, providing a strong bridge between elementary and high school education. Washington Junior High is committed to supporting academic growth, personal development, and leadership skills in a positive and engaging learning environment.
