STEM Classes at IU13
Overview of STEM Class
Students at our IU13 center-based facilities and school-based Deaf/Hard of Hearing and Multiple Disabilities special education classes will attend STEM class weekly and engage in hands-on and interactive STEM projects and activities. They will learn about Design Process, Growth Mindset, Coding, and Problem-Based Learning. Students will practice valuable life and career readiness skills such as perseverance, independence, teamwork, problem-solving, communication, empathy, emotional regulation, compromise, utilizing data, and much more!
Why is STEM Important?
STEM helps foster life skills, such as learning how to problem solve, overcome obstacles, and collaborate with peers. These are lasting skills all people need to have for future success. STEM lessons nurture skills such as organization, higher-order thinking, self-esteem, socialization, and teamwork, all of which can be challenging to cultivate in students with learning needs. Through these adapted lessons, we are helping students become better readers, writers, and mathematicians. These lessons build confidence in the students’ ability to learn and create, and help to cultivate a sense of pride.
Melissa Myer is our IU13 STEM Teacher for students enrolled in the Multiple Disabilities Support and Deaf/Hard of Hearing programs. She has previous experience teaching Multiple Disabilities Support and Learning Support. Melissa enjoyed incorporating STEM activities into her classroom by finding ways to use assistive technology for all students to participate. Melissa earned her Bachelor’s degree from Neumann University in Elementary and Special Education, then attended West Chester University for a Master’s in Special Education. She continues to learn more about STEM education at Millersville University. Melissa was honored as one of the Discovery Education 2026 Educator of the Year Award recipients for her innovation, dedication, creativity, adaptability, and purpose to her students. Melissa enjoys the privilege of working with students of all ages and learning something new every day. She believes it is important to include and value all ideas to foster a collaborative learning environment for students. As a STEM teacher, Melissa teams up with classroom teachers to enter various STEM competitions during the school year.
When Melissa is not in the classroom, you may find her on an adventure with her husband and daughter.
- melissa_myer@iu13.org
- 717-947-1330
