Lake County Schools superintendent highlights early STEAM instruction

Diane Kornegay, superintendent of Lake County Schools, described the district’s push to start science, technology, engineering, arts and math instruction early. "Long before students are building complex machines, conducting experiments, or preparing for careers as scientists and engineers, they are asking questions," she said, framing curiosity as the foundation for future STEM learning.

Kornegay pointed to the VPK Academy and elementary classrooms as places where students practice design, investigation and problem-solving. "This is what learning looks like when students are allowed to be curious and creative," she said, adding that the district helps students "build that future from the very beginning, 1 question, 1 idea, and 1 discovery at a time." The comments presented the district’s effort to connect early classroom activities to long-term workforce and academic preparation without announcing a new policy or budget change.

Kornegay’s remarks served as an overview of classroom activities shown during the session and positioned early hands-on STEAM experiences as central to the district’s approach to K–5 instruction.