Holy Ghost Catholic School Earns State’s First National Certificate for STEM Excellence

Albuquerque, NM - April 10, 2019
Holy Ghost Catholic School is the first school in New Mexico, and the first Catholic school in the nation, to earn the National Certificate for STEM Excellence, a certification from the National Institute for STEM Education (NISE) in Houston. “STEM” refers to the academic disciplines of science, technology, engineering and math.
The award will be conferred by representatives of NISE during a ceremony at Holy Ghost, Friday, May 10, 9:0 0 a.m. New Mexico Public Education Department Cabinet Secretary Karen Trujillo is expected to attend. “Effective STEM Education isn’t just about the content we teach, but how we teach it.  How the teacher guides discussion and how students build understanding are key components of effective teaching and learning in STEM.  I am excited to see what they are doing at Holy Ghost,” stated the NMPED Cabinet Secretary Karen Trujillo.
To qualify for this award, a school must have at least five teachers earn the National Certificate for STEM Teaching.  Ten Holy Ghost teachers earned this individual certification.
Based on professional development curriculum originally created at Rice University, these campus and individual certifications recognize implementation of evidence-based STEM instructional strategies.
“Working with the National Institute for STEM Education has moved our school to the next level of excellence,” said Dr. Noreen Duffy Copeland, Holy Ghost principal. “Through STEM, our teachers emphasize students’ development of 21st-century skills like critical thinking, collaboration, invention and communication. NISE has focused our efforts to provide the best instructional practices in every classroom as we prepare our students for STEM opportunities throughout their lives.”
 
About the National Institute for STEM Education 
NISE is a research-based support system for campuses and teachers seeking to strengthen STEM instruction and outcomes. Based on 15 STEM Teacher Actions and 37 STEM criteria that evolved from STEM professional development originally created at Rice University, NISE’s Campus and Teacher Certificates help school leaders and teachers understand and apply research and best practices in STEM, 21st-century learning, and professional development. For information, visit http://nise.institute.

Media Contact:
Holy Ghost Catholic School
Erika Miller, Administrative Intern
505-504-8272
[email protected]