Cultivating innovation: Global Impact STEM Academy

Where Agriculture Meets Innovation

What sets GISA apart in the landscape of STEM education is its unique integration with agricultural science. While preparing students for diverse STEM careers, the curriculum is deeply connected to the agricultural industry that shapes the surrounding region. Through programs often aligned with FFA initiatives popular in the area, students gain hands-on experience solving real-world challenges in food production, sustainability, and resource management.

The new 30,000-square-foot "Upper Academy" facility, situated on Clark State College's campus, will serve students in grades 10-12, allowing the original location to expand enrollment and programming for younger students. This strategic expansion represents more than just additional space, it embodies a philosophy that education should be as dynamic and adaptable as the industries students will eventually enter.

Designed for Evolution

Change is the only constant in STEM-based education. That’s the philosophy our design team approached the new academy with. This understanding shaped every aspect of the building's design, creating an environment where flexibility isn't just accommodated — it's celebrated.

The facility features portable technology, furniture, power sources, and educational materials that can move between spaces as project needs evolve throughout the semester. This adaptability ensures that the physical environment never constrains educational innovation but instead catalyzes it.

Among the most exciting features for students are the workshop spaces and attached greenhouse, where theoretical knowledge transforms into practical application. Here, students learn various methods of food cultivation and problem-solving within agricultural industries. The greenhouse and outdoor garden serves as both laboratory and showcase, allowing students to demonstrate their work to parents and community members during end-of-year celebrations, creating a tangible connection between learning and real-world impact.

Community-Driven Design

Our approach to creating this revolutionary learning environment began with listening. Through community engagement sessions featuring visual listening exercises, "love letters" to imagine the ideal school, and detailed surveys, we developed a comprehensive program that truly reflected stakeholder needs and aspirations.

This collaborative process proved invaluable in securing funding for the expansion and ensuring that the final design would authentically serve its community. The resulting master plan includes not only administrative offices and classrooms but also interactive laboratories spanning disciplines from food science to engineering, all designed to evolve alongside educational methodologies.

The College Connection

The academy's location on the edge of Clark State College's campus offers another dimension to the student experience. This proximity creates a seamless pathway between secondary and higher education, allowing high school students to envision their academic futures while occasionally sharing resources with college programs.

For students exploring their potential, this environment familiarizes the college experience and blurs traditional boundaries between educational levels. Students gain confidence navigating a higher-ed learning environment while still receiving the structured support of secondary education.

Beyond a Building

The new Global Impact STEM Academy represents our firm's commitment to creating educational environments that transcend traditional classroom limitations. As part of our academic portfolio, this project exemplifies our belief that learning spaces should inspire curiosity, facilitate collaboration, and adapt to evolving educational approaches.

By designing for flexibility, community connection, and real-world application, we've created more than just a building — we've helped establish an ecosystem where innovation in agricultural science and STEM education can flourish for generations to come.

GISA plans to held a ribbon cutting for the new Upper Academy on Friday, May 23. Read more about it in this article from the Springfield News-Sun.

Explore a virtual tour of the academy in this previous blog post.