Description of Program
The CITGO Innovation Academy for Engineering, Environmental & Marine Science is a Texas Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (T-STEM) Academy. Initial funding to establish the unique programming in the Innovation Academy was provided by the Texas High School Project, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation and the Texas Education Agency. Currently, the Innovation Academy is 1 of only 56 T-STEM Academies in the State of Texas. The Innovation Academy is a magnet program that serves Moody High School students, as well as students from across the Corpus Christi ISD attendance zone. Students are selected based on their interest in pursuing a college and career program in science, technology, engineering and/or mathematics (STEM).
Innovation Academy students will have the opportunity to conduct and present research, visit major colleges and universities, participate in co-curricular academic competition, and visit with world-famous scientists and STEM representatives, as they move through their Academy pathway. In addition, the Innovation Academy focuses on increasing students’ understanding of the natural world by exposing them to the dynamics and socio-economic effects of their local natural resources. Summer enrichment activities are available to all Innovation Academy students and vary from Robotics Camp to Kayaking Camp.
Teachers for the Innovation Academy are selected based on their qualifications and commitment to providing innovative and engaging instruction in and out of the classroom. Academy teachers put in countless hours in preparation for student activities. Summers are spent participating in specialized science, technology, engineering and mathematics training. All Academy teachers work as a vertical team to ensure consistency and continuity from one grade level to the next.