Two Texas Schools Earn National STEM Excellence Honor

Elementary students in Midland and Odessa are building robots, solving engineering puzzles, and getting hands-on with science experiments that most kids only dream about.

Harmony Science Academy campuses in both West Texas cities just earned Project Lead The Way Distinguished Launch School honors for the 2025-26 academic year. The national designation recognizes schools that give young learners exceptional access to science, technology, engineering, and math programs.

Project Lead The Way is a nonprofit that transforms how kids learn STEM subjects. Instead of memorizing facts from textbooks, students tackle real-world problems through projects that spark creativity and teamwork. The program reaches elementary students during the critical years when interest in science and math takes root.

"These honors reflect the outstanding work happening in our classrooms every day as our students engage in hands-on learning experiences that prepare them for future success," said Dr. Kamil Yilmaz, West Texas superintendent for Harmony Public Schools.

Earning the distinguished status isn't easy. Schools must show broad student participation across multiple grade levels while delivering engaging, project-based learning that gets kids excited about STEM fields. The Harmony campuses met every benchmark.

The Ripple Effect

This recognition extends beyond two schools in the Permian Basin. When elementary students discover they love engineering or computer science, that passion shapes career paths and fills critical workforce needs years down the road.

Dr. David Dimmett, president and CEO of Project Lead The Way, emphasized that early exposure matters. "Research shows that interest in STEM begins early and can be nurtured throughout a student's academic journey," he said.

The recognition comes as Harmony Public Schools continues expanding educational opportunities across West Texas. Two new middle-high school campuses are planned to open in Midland and Odessa by Fall 2027, giving students a complete STEM-focused education pathway from elementary through graduation.

For families in the Permian Basin, this means their children have access to the same caliber of science and engineering education found in major cities, right in their hometown classrooms where teachers know their names and nurture their potential every single day.