Concordia International School Shanghai has been awarded the esteemed title of ITEEA 2024-25 STEM School of Excellence, making it the only K-12 school in Asia to receive this recognition. Sponsored by Siemens and endorsed by the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association (ITEEA), this honor acknowledges the school’s dedication to providing an exceptional Integrative STEM education experience.
ITEEA's STEM School of Excellence Recognition Program highlights schools that excel in fostering engineering and technological literacy among their students. The award celebrates educators, administrators, and stakeholders who are making a significant impact through innovative practices and instructional strategies.
Guided by the philosophy that every student should feel empowered to engage with STEM, Concordia encourages participation in STEM-related courses, projects, and activities across grade levels. This includes exciting opportunities like VEX Robotics, drone competitions, and citizen science projects. Through hands-on experiences that connect to real-world problem-solving, students shine brightly with their passion and interest in these fields. They challenge themselves, present research results at international events, and rack up accolades and competition victories, while also laying a strong foundation for their future careers.
The school’s commitment to nurturing future innovators extends beyond its campus through outreach and service-learning projects. These initiatives include promoting STEM literacy at Maker Faire events, teaching drone technology to underserved students in rural China, and establishing computer labs in schools across Nepal.
Another standout of Concordia's application is the annual High School Career Day, which inspires students as they explore future career paths. This cornerstone event brings together distinguished professionals from a variety of industries to share their career journeys, insights, and advice, providing invaluable guidance to Concordia students.
Dr. Yujiro Fujiwara, STEM Coordinator and High School Math Teacher at Concordia, reflected on the recognition, saying, "This process has been a valuable opportunity for us to reflect on our journey, celebrate our achievements, and identify ways to continue improving. We are truly grateful to ITEEA and Siemens for promoting excellence in STEM education and for providing a platform for schools like ours to evaluate programs, share best practices, and connect with a broader community striving for continued improvement".
As part of this recognition, Concordia will be honored at the ITEEA 2025 Conference in St. Louis, Missouri. During the Closing General Session on Saturday, April 5, 2025, the school will receive the STEM School of Excellence Banner. The event provides a platform for distinguished schools to connect, collaborate, and share their achievements in advancing STEM education.
Concordia's commitment to sparking curiosity, innovation, and technological literacy aligns with its mission to shape bright futures. By offering opportunities for students to actively engage with STEM fields, Concordia empowers them to become thoughtful, skilled and inspired contributors to the global community.
