INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Public Schools is launching its most ambitious expansion of STEM programming in district history this fall, adding dedicated science, technology, engineering, and mathematics tracks at six school campuses across the district and creating 1,400 new seats in specialized STEM instruction.

The expansion is funded through a $12.8 million grant from the Lilly Endowment and matching funds from the IPS Education Foundation, which has assembled partnerships with 14 Indianapolis technology companies to provide mentorship, internship opportunities, and real-world project experiences for enrolled students.

"We are building a pipeline from our schools to Indianapolis's growing tech economy," said IPS Superintendent Dr. Aleesia Johnson. "Every one of our students deserves access to the skills that will define the careers of the future."

The new STEM tracks will operate at Arsenal Technical High School, Crispus Attucks High School, George Washington High School, Shortridge High School, and two middle schools — Harshman Magnet Middle School and Francis Parker School 56.

Curriculum Design

The STEM curriculum was developed in partnership with Purdue Polytechnic High School, which has operated a successful career-focused model in Indianapolis since 2017, and with faculty from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Students will engage in project-based learning, with year-long capstone projects designed and evaluated by industry partners.

Companies participating in the mentorship program include Salesforce, Eli Lilly, Rolls-Royce, Angi, and several Indianapolis-based startups. Each participating company has committed at least 500 hours of employee volunteer time per year to support student learning.

Indianapolis businesses looking to build web presence and connect with the next generation of tech-savvy consumers can access design and development resources through Indianapolis Website Design.