Tennessee Education Commissioner Candice McQueen announced today Midway Elementary School in Roane County has received the Tennessee STEM School Designation, the first in the state to receive this award. The program is designed to recognize schools that promote and implement rigorous STEM-related learning opportunities for all students that lead to post-secondary achievement and high-quality careers. STEM education is a unique approach to teaching and learning that fosters creativity and innovative thinking in all students. It is focused on building critical and creative thinking and analysis skills by addressing how students view and experience the world around them. Strong STEM teaching and learning opportunities rest on inquiry, technology and project-based learning activities and lessons that are tied to the real world.