Some schools simply
teach STEM. She’s showing
students how to use it to
change the world.
Mary Antoni wants to make one thing clear: she doesn’t
think STEM is superior to other subjects.
“Science is not more important than English. Technology
is not more important than religion,” she says. “But what
STEM is, is empty. People aren’t going into it. They fear
STEM, and they lack the tools to succeed in it. That is why
we are promoting STEM tools and opportunities.”
Antoni is the STEM coordinator at Lansdale Catholic
High School in Lansdale, PA. She says initiatives
supporting STEM — which stands for science, technology,
engineering, and mathematics — offer practical solutions
to two issues.
One, the country needs more workers in STEM fields.
Two, students want lucrative, interesting jobs. By creating
programs that provide hands-on, problem-solving
experience, Antoni is equipping students for success
in college and in their future careers. Many end up at
companies with which she has bridged connections.
That’s why Antoni is always on the lookout for networking
opportunities. For her, it’s not enough to emphasize math
and science for a few lessons and call it a day.
“If we can’t prepare our students for the next step into
college, we are not fulfilling our goal as an educational
institution,” Antoni says. “So we prepare them and give
them a taste of their journey into the career world.”
Her results are getting noticed. The Da Vinci Science
Center recently honored her with its Hall of Fame
Educator Excellence Award. The judging panel was
impressed by Antoni’s methods of bringing science to life
in her community — methods that are, like most STEM
solutions, both simple and creative.
“If we can’t prepare our students for the
next step into college, we are not fulfilling
our goal as an educational institution.”
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