What STEM means at Kokomo High School
At Kokomo High School STEM Academy, we are shaping the innovators, creators, and problem solvers of tomorrow. Our mission is to engage students in an interdisciplinary learning experience that connects classroom knowledge to community and career. Through authentic, real-world problem solving, students apply the four C’s—communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking—to design meaningful solutions that make an impact both inside and beyond school walls.
We envision a future where every Kokomo student graduates not only prepared for college or trade school, but empowered to thrive in a rapidly changing world. STEM Academy students explore hands-on projects that integrate technology, engineering, science, and design—using tools like 3D printers, laser cutters, and the Maker Space to bring their ideas to life. Every unit challenges them to question, design, test, and reflect, developing the durable skills that employers and communities value most.
Collaboration is at the heart of our approach. Teachers plan together across disciplines, connecting math and science to history, art, and real-world applications. Students learn to take initiative, contribute to teams, and showcase their learning to authentic audiences, building confidence as innovators and leaders.
Kokomo High School STEM Academy stands as a launchpad for the future—where education meets innovation, and curiosity drives success.
What makes our STEM program stand out
STEM Implementation K-12-to-Career
STEM is a pillar to the WD approach to education and preparing students as functioning members of the community by being exposed to the increasingly technology driven world. Between the three STEM labs, every student is exposed to the career opportunities available with STEM.
STEM Promotion
STEM Day and other events throughout the year expose students on what is to come as
their educational journey in the building continues. Elementary students are exposed to
opportunities at the high school, and high school students are exposed to industry
employers looking for talent or mentorship opportunities.
Diversified Options for all Secondary Ed Students, College and Workforce Bound
WD hosts several different NLPS pathways that allow students to explore their interests in
engineering, digital media, cybersecurity, information technology, business operations, and more. There is not another school of this size offering such a vast array of career exploration
opportunities.
KHS Makerspace - Where Ideas Become Real
The Kokomo High School Makerspace is a hands-on innovation lab where students design, build, and create using professional tools and technology.
Equipped with a laser cutter, 3D printers, CNC machine, fabrication tools, and electronics workstations, the Makerspace allows students to prototype and solve real-world problems through exploration, collaboration, and creativity.
The space supports learning across multiple courses and pathways, helping students develop both technical STEM skills and essential skills like communication, problem-solving, and perseverance. The Makerspace plays a key role in Kokomo High School’s work toward STEM Certification and reflects strong partnerships with community organizations, local industry, and university collaborators.
Here, students don’t just learn about STEM—they learn by making.
Welding Programs - Real Skills, Real Impact
Kokomo High School’s Welding Program gives students the opportunity to apply their technical skills to meaningful, community-focused projects. One standout accomplishment is the design and construction of the compound curve fencing that surrounds the high school football stadium. Students engineered the fence to match the precise radius of the track, using the school’s CNC plasma cutter and in-house powder coating equipment to fabricate and finish each section.
This project not only built advanced welding, fabrication, and design skills — it also delivered real value to the district. What would have cost nearly $500,000 to outsource was completed in-house by students for just $19,000, demonstrating the power of authentic, hands-on learning.
Through work like this, Kokomo High School emphasizes career readiness, showing students how classroom learning connects directly to skilled trades, industry standards, and future employment pathways. Here, students aren’t just learning about welding — they are building their futures, one project at a time.
STEM & Robotics Courses
The TechnoKats Robotics Team at Kokomo High School is a student-led engineering team that designs, builds, and programs competition-ready robots. Meeting weekly alongside industry mentors, students collaborate to solve complex challenges, develop prototypes, refine designs, and prepare their robot to compete in high-energy regional, state, and international competitions.
In the most recent season, the TechnoKats achieved a major milestone — advancing to the World Championship Playoffs in Houston for the first time in nearly a decade.
The team finished 10th in their division of 75 teams and served as Alliance Captains, selecting other top teams to compete alongside them — a remarkable accomplishment demonstrating technical skill, strategic thinking, leadership, and teamwork.
Beyond competition, the TechnoKats are committed to giving back. The team regularly volunteers in the community, partnering with local libraries and organizations to teach STEM concepts, run hands-on learning events, and inspire younger students to explore robotics and engineering.
Our Current STEM Focus
Building collective teacher capacity to ensure consistent and meaningful technology integration across all classrooms.
Many Kokomo High School teachers are already integrating technology in authentic and engaging ways that connect learning to real-world problem solving. Our next step is to ensure that this level of technology integration becomes consistent schoolwide. By leveraging the expertise of our trained teachers and expanding collaborative support, we aim to build the confidence and capacity of all staff to embed technology purposefully in daily instruction.
Kokomo High School
Kokomo High School is part of the Kokomo School Corporation in Kokomo, Indiana. Serving approximately 1,472 students in grades 9–12, the school offers a diverse and dynamic learning environment. Kokomo High School is dedicated to preparing students for future success through high-quality academics, extracurricular opportunities, and a strong focus on college, career, and life readiness.
