Lithia Springs High Receives STEM Education Award

Submitted by Douglas County School System

Lithia Springs High School (LSHS) was named the 2015 High School Category Winner for the 2015 Georgia STEM Education Awards by the Technology Association of Georgia (TAG) and the TAG Education Collaborative (TAG-Ed).

The fourth annual STEM Education awards were announced at a special ceremony held in Atlanta on Friday, August 28, 2015.

Students in the STEM Academy at Lithia Springs High School have the opportunity to become proficient on an astonishing array of technology uncommonly found in schools, including a Stratasys Uprint 3D Printer, Sprit LS Laser Cutter/Engraver, CNC Lathe and a CNC Mill.

They are introduced to robotics through both VEX and Lynx Motion. Students have access to a variety of precision software and interfaces, such as Autodesk Inventor CAD, PASCO, and Vernier, utilized in research universities and designed to emulate the work of industry professionals.

Additionally, LSHS STEM participants have the opportunity through the Science & Engineering Fair and internships to experience field specific technology as they work in the community to fulfill STEM requirements and prepare for entrance into elite colleges and professions.

“We are honored to be named the overall winner in our category from the cadre of schools selected as finalists in the TAG Awards high school division. Our teachers strive for excellence each day, as they provide our students with a high quality STEM based education. This acknowledgement by TAG will further motivate all within our school in our efforts,” said LSHS principal Dr. Garrick Askew.

Dr. J. Lee Collins, Assistant Principal added, “Winning, as well as being a finalist for the last three years in a row, is a testament to the hard work of the students and teachers in LSHS’s STEM Academy.”

Douglas County School Superintendent Dr. Gordon Pritz added, ”This is a testament to the hard work of a lot of people over these last five years. The vision we had then for LSHS under Dr. Fred Ervin’s leadership in 2010 and then Dr. Garrick Askew in 2012 was to transform LSHS into a “shining light” in our county and state. Dr. Askew, his teachers and administrators, and the students and parents have done just that. This is an acknowledgement of that tremendous turnaround and we are all so very proud of this accomplishment. Many awesome things are going on at LSHS!”

Georgia STEM awards were created to recognize and celebrate schools, extracurricular programs, public-private partnerships, science agencies and post-secondary education outreach programs for outstanding efforts and achievement in supporting and promoting science, technology, engineering, and math education in Georgia.

“It was truly a challenge to choose from among the many applicants from around Georgia,” said Tino Mantella, president & CEO of TAG. “We applaud this year’s winners for standing out as leaders in Georgia’s educational community.”

A sell-out crowd of more than 300 members of the technology and education community were on hand at the event which was sponsored by Georgia Tech Research Institute, Cisco, and Promethean.

The complete list of winners, event information, and event photos, will be released online at: http://www.tagonline.org/events/stem-education-awards/.

About The Technology Association of Georgia (TAG):
TAG is the leading technology industry association in the state, serving more than 28,000 members through regional chapters in Metro Atlanta, Athens, Augusta, Columbus, Macon/Middle Georgia, and Savannah. TAG’s mission is to educate, promote, and unite Georgia’s technology community to foster an innovative and connected marketplace that stimulates and enhances a tech-based economy.

The association provides networking and educational programs; celebrates Georgia’s technology leaders and companies; and advocates for legislative action that enhances the state’s economic climate for technology. TAG hosts over 200 events each year and serves as an umbrella organization for 34 professional societies. For more information visit the TAG website at www.tagonline.org.

About TAG Education Collaborative:
TAG Education Collaborative is dedicated to developing science, technology, engineering and math initiatives in Georgia. Through partnerships with statewide STEM programs, TAG-Ed fosters student interest in STEM in order to increase appreciation for the opportunities available through technology careers. TAG-Ed hosts an internship program for high school students, two web-based team challenges for students interested in Health IT and web design, and the Vine Event, an annual fundraiser benefiting STEM education. For additional information, visit TAG Education Collaborative or contact Michael Robertson at (404) 920 – 2038 or mrobertson@tagonline.org.