David Thibodaux STEM Magnet Academy in Lafayette, Louisiana is a magnet academy focused on increasing students' knowledge in the STEM fields through hands-on, project-based learning. Perennial projects for students include building solar cars, constructing hot air balloons, and constructing towers out of unconventional materials so that students can unite theoretical classroom knowledge with practical applications in the STEM field. This school is a combination middle school and high school that serves students from grades six through twelve. The curriculum allows students to specialize in a number of different fields including engineering, biomedical science, environmental science, early childhood education, nutrition, and teaching. By allowing students to specialize early, the Academy gives students the opportunity to explore their fields in greater depth while also attaining skills that they can utilize in a future workplace. This competitive school requires students interested in attending to submit an application, interview, teacher recommendations, and evidence of a strong academic record to prove they can handle the rigors of the STEM education found here.
