Madison Reporter

Nearly 50 students from Middleton High School and Clark Street Community School showcased their end-of-year projects at the STEM Showcase on May 30. The event, now in its third year, was organized by Career & Technical Education Coordinator Dave Thomas and Engineering Design and Development Teacher Ben Shrago.

"For many students, their project is a representation of their career interests and exploration to discover their passion," Thomas stated. Community volunteers from local businesses and MCPASD administrators attended to provide feedback on the students' presentations.

Thomas noted that the attendees' genuine curiosity reinforced for student presenters that they have developed valuable technical skills. The showcase featured projects from various classes, including engineering design, civil engineering, digital electronics, game design (integrated with computer science, digital art, and English), advanced art, and career projects from Clark Street Community School.

The event has shifted focus from the national Project Lead the Way curriculum to emphasizing a capstone presentation experience. Shrago worked with other instructors to create a multidisciplinary approach that welcomes students from project-based learning courses.

"I love that this event represents the High Quality Project Based Learning Framework, which is supported by the Project Management Institute Educational Foundation," Thomas said. This framework includes six criteria: Intellectual Challenge and Accomplishment, Authenticity, Public Project, Collaboration, Project Management, and Reflection. The showcase aligns with MCPASD's future-preparedness framework called A Cardinal's Journey.

"As the District moves forward with the comprehensive future-preparedness framework for all students," Thomas explained, "this showcase can provide a supplemental opportunity for our project-based learning students and programs to demonstrate the skills, competencies, and attributes that are represented in A Cardinal's Journey."

Thomas expressed his favorite aspect of the showcase as witnessing students' pride in their learning and how they adapt to public speaking challenges about their projects.