McKinley STEAM Academy is slated to have a four classroom makeover to enhance the space into medical science classrooms. The transformed spaces are estimated to cost about $850,000, funded by the Physical Plant and Equipment Levy, which is for construction and remodeling of buildings. Construction will be completed by August of 2025.

Check out the renderings

Currently, McKinley has a classroom that has a weight training center with free weights and a cardio room with 18 pieces of equipment, including treadmills, stationary bikes and elliptical machines. The newly remodeled space will eventually be outfitted with hospital beds and manikins for students to practice basic care needs. There will be a lecture space and lab and collaborative spaces where students can learn.

McKinley STEAM Academy students have the option of enrolling in several semester-long classes with an emphasis in medical sciences. Currently students can explore cardio, weight training, human body systems and sports medicine. Cardio and weight training also count toward a student’s physical education credits.

In classes taught by McKinley health and medical science teacher Brian White, students get to practice physical therapy exercises which teaches middle schoolers, what movements strengthen each part of the body and protect or help it recover from injury. The students are also gaining hand-on learning by learning about the methods in taping each other’s wrists and ankles as an athletic trainer might to reduce swelling and pain from an injury.

“It’s high-level stuff I don’t think is happening in other schools,” White said. “The cool part is seeing kids that would never have thought they have an interest in sports or athletic training love taping wrists and ankles.”

In addition to the medical sciences pathway, McKinley also offers career exploration in engineering tech, computer science, performing arts and visual arts.

“They’re learning about a lot of different career opportunities, and they might not be interested in any of them. But they might find something that clicks,” White said.