CIS earns prestigious STEM accreditation

Cayman International School recently earned the National Certificate for STEM Excellence from the National Institute for STEM Education, becoming the first international school to receive the distinction.

"NISE is widely recognised for its expertise, and they were excited about the opportunity for CIS to become the first international institution to earn their National Certificate for STEM Excellence," CIS Director of Curriculum and Professional Learning Adam Winton said. "This certification not only recognises CIS’s commitment to high-quality STEM education, but also provides a structured framework to enhance teaching strategies, incorporate cutting-edge technology and ensure students gain skills that align with global STEM career demands."

Through this process, CIS crafted an Action Plan to guide the school in becoming a modern STEM campus. A key part of the journey was developing a unique STEM vision for the school, Winton said, one shaped by collaboration and input from across the community. The result is a guiding statement that reflects the school's STEM education commitment — "At CIS, we cultivate curious, collaborative learners who solve problems innovatively."

"With this accreditation, CIS has strengthened its curriculum by expanding hands-on learning opportunities, integrating new STEM technologies and fostering a culture of inquiry-based learning," Winton said.

The National Certificate for STEM Excellence programme requires schools to demonstrate a comprehensive commitment to STEM education through both curriculum and instructional practices, according to the NISE website. This involves detailed evaluations and the implementation of an action plan tailored to foster student engagement and improve educational outcomes in STEM fields.

At CIS, the STEM curriculum spans from early childhood education to high school, incorporating a broad spectrum of subjects and hands-on experiences designed to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

"Our students consistently achieve above-average results, scoring 10 to 20 percentile-points higher than U.S. and global norms," Winton said, referencing data from annual assessments.

The curriculum includes specialised courses in digital design, robotics and computer programming, among others, aiming to prepare students for future careers in STEM-related fields.

CIS also offers after-school programmes that further support STEM education, including activities such as LEGO Robotics and the competitive FIRST Tech Challenge robotics team, which provide practical, real-world engineering and problem-solving experiences.

"For students interested in technology and engineering, these programmes allow them to apply what they've learned in the classroom in a competitive and collaborative environment," Winton said.

As CIS moves forward with its accredited status, it continues to focus on enhancing its STEM offerings and preparing students to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving technological landscape. 

This article was first published in the April/May 2025 print edition of Camana Bay Times.