Engineering Learning Across Knox County Schools

This Engineering Week, KCS is highlighting how students are building problem-solving skills through hands-on learning at the district’s STEM-designated schools.

At Green Magnet Academy — KCS’ only STEM-designated elementary school — engineering is part of everyday learning. From kindergarten through fifth grade, students use the engineering design process to explore ideas and solve real-world problems across subjects.

“We do STEM every day,” said Magnet Facilitator Sandra Morris. “It’s ingrained in every facet of our school.”

Students use structured design mats to guide them from asking questions to planning and building solutions. Projects range from designing telescopes and spacecraft models to building toys from recycled materials and creating data visualizations!

“We try to show kids the connections between everything that they do,” Morris said. “That’s how you solve a math problem. That’s how you can write a paper. That’s how you solve a conflict with a friend on the playground.”

In the school’s engineering design lab, classroom teachers partner with engineering design teacher Jamie Kelly to lead hands-on lessons.

“I tell people I have the best job in Knox County,” Kelly said. “I get to see their engineering minds at work.”

Kelly says the focus helps students develop persistence and confidence. “Our kids are more resilient,” she said. “The engineering design process inherently means you are failing and persevering and coming up with solutions.”

Green Magnet Academy earned STEM designation from the state of Tennessee in 2022 through a rigorous, school-wide process. Morris says the designation has shaped instruction and school culture, with staff and students embracing the engineering mindset while expanding opportunities — including arts integration.

“We practice what we preach,” Morris said. “Even as adults, our leadership and faculty teams use the design process to solve problems and make decisions. It keeps us all on the same page and shows the students how collaboration works in real life.”

Holston Middle, KCS’ only STEM-designated middle school, emphasizes hands-on learning and career exploration across multiple STEM pathways.

“One of the most exciting parts of our year has been our quarterly STEM Summits,” said Principal Amber Roberts. “These events give students the chance to hear from guest speakers in STEM, engage in hands-on challenges, and develop prototypes in a Shark Tank–style competition. Watching students collaborate, problem-solve, and showcase their ideas has been a true highlight.”

Holston students apply their skills through hands-on projects supported by the TVA STEM Classroom Award and the GEARS Grant. Using 3D printers and robotics, they design, test, and refine prototypes—from adaptive technology and prosthetics to robotic transportation models—building critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills while gaining meaningful exposure to STEM careers.

Together with Green Magnet Academy and Holston Middle School, three Knox County high schools have also earned STEM designation: L&N STEM, Farragut High, and South-Doyle High. These schools meet the Tennessee STEM Innovation Network’s rigorous standards, ensuring students engage in engineering-focused learning in every subject!

Across KCS’ STEM-designated schools, students are developing the skills and mindset to think critically, collaborate, and solve problems, preparing them for future STEM careers!