Benefield Elementary and GSMST Named Finalists For STEM Awards

Two Lawrenceville schools were recognized for their work in science and technology.

Benefield Elementary School and Gwinnett School of Math, Science and Technology (GSMST) were named finalists for the Technology Association of Georgia’s Second Annual STEM Education Awards.

The awards support and promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics education in the state. 

Patch was there as students at Benefield Elementary School learned they were nominated for Best Georgia STEM Day Activity.

The then fourth graders teamed up with then freshmen at GSMST for an interactive project on optics. The high school students designed a developmentally appropriate game targeting fourth graders. The Benefield students were already learning about optics in their class. 

“The science language was phenomenal,” said Benefield principal Dr. Melissa Walker. Later, in a release from Gwinnett County Public Schools she added, “it is exciting to have our students connect learning with real life applications and open the door to future STEM career opportunities. We look forward to growing our STEM partnership with GSMST.” 

Elementary students in Blair Morris’ class participated in the project. Morris, who is now teaching at Mason Elementary in Duluth, came back to Benefield to watch the announcement with her former students. 

“I’m ecstatic for Benefield and GSMST and Gwinnett County,” said Morris. “It’s a huge privilege.

GSMST is up for the award in the Classroom Technology category. Last year, the charter school was nominated in the High School category. 

“We are honored to learn that TAG continues to notice the fine work of our teachers and students,” said Dr. Jeff Mathews, principal of Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology in a release. “This award has a special significance for our school as GSMST students had the opportunity to learn together hands-on with another GCPS school.” 

Georgia Gwinnett College also received two nominations. One for Post Secondary Outreach with their Tech Pipeline Initiatives and another for Classroom Technology through their School of Science and Technology. 

Lawrenceville based Cisco Systems was also named a finalist for Coorporate Outreach. 

“It was truly a challenge for our judges to select the 2013 finalists from among more than 170 applicants from around Georgia,” said Michael Robertson, Executive Director of TAG Education Collaborative in a release. “We must continue building a wave of activities that will prepare our students for the global workforce they will inherit, and we hope recognizing these organizations and their programs will raise awareness on the importance of STEM education for our state's economic future.”

The winners will be announced at The 2nd Annual Georgia STEM Education Awards on Friday, September 27 in Savannah, Ga.