Baldwin Park Unified’s BP STEM Academy was recognized with a 2022 Golden Bell Award by the California School Boards Association (CSBA) during the CSBA annual education conference and awards ceremony, held in San Diego on Dec. 1.
BP STEM Academy was established in 2021 as a specialized science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) school for students in grades three through eight.
“BP STEM Academy provides expanded learning opportunities for students to ensure they receive a head start on their academic careers,” Superintendent Dr. Froilan N. Mendoza said. “Baldwin Park Unified is honored to have BP STEM Academy recognized by CSBA because it validates the tremendously hard work our administrators, teachers and staff put in to the Academy to benefit students.”
CSBA selected the school’s submission video, “Birth of a STEM Academy”, as a 2022 Golden Bell Award winner in the category of curriculum and instruction through California standards implementation for STEM. The category includes programs and strategies that support the teaching and learning of content in STEM, with a focus on equitable, innovative and engaging instruction.
The creation and development of the BP STEM Academy was applauded for providing the necessary framework for systemic change by removing the barriers to access in education, and establishing an all-inclusive atmosphere that encourages students to be curious about STEM.
BP STEM Academy received additional praise for its engineering, biomedical and computer science instruction, which has been brought to life by talented educators in classrooms that nurture hands-on collaboration.
CSBA received more than 200 applications for the 2022 Golden Bell Awards program.
12.06.22_BP STEM_Golden Bell: From left to right: Associate Superintendent of Business and Operations Marc Chaldu; Assistant Superintendent of Student Achievement Dr. Angela Salazar; BP STEM Academy Science Department Chair and Lead Robotics Coach Tom Lau; BP STEM Academy Principal Mike Rust; Superintendent Dr. Froilan N. Mendoza; and Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Dr. Christine R. Heinrichs.