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Cayman International School (CIS) is celebrating a groundbreaking milestone, becoming the first international institution, outside of the United States, to earn the prestigious National Certificate for STEM Excellence (NCSE) through the National Institute for STEM Education (NISE).

This landmark achievement positions CIS as a global leader in innovative STEM education, equipping students with the critical skills needed to thrive in tomorrow's technology-driven world. The school celebrated this recognition with a celebration event and STEM Expo on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, where students across all grade levels showcased their innovative projects and technological expertise. The event featured student demonstrations in robotics, 3D modelling, digital design, and engineering challenges that illustrated the practical application of STEM concepts. CIS also recognized DART for its support and substantial contributions to advancing STEM education opportunities throughout the Cayman Islands.

"This prestigious NISE accreditation represents more than just an award, it's validation of our comprehensive approach to preparing students for future success in a rapidly evolving global landscape," said Jim Urquhart, Director of CIS.

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, NISE was conceived by seasoned, practicing educators and is based on thousands of hours of research, professional development, curriculum design, and educational leadership. Using an online platform and supported by a dedicated NISE STEM leadership coach, educators and instructional leaders work together to refine school operations and instruction to further strengthen STEM practices and the campus’ overall STEM culture. CIS underwent a thorough assessment to identify growth opportunities, implement a progressive STEM vision, and refine teaching methodologies that foster inquiry-based learning and critical thinking skills.

Jim Urquhart, Director of CIS, continued, "This recognition ensures that students in the Cayman Islands receive globally competitive STEM education preparing them for leadership in the international, innovation economy. The skills developed through CIS's STEM program will benefit not only individual students but the entire Cayman community."

CIS's comprehensive STEM program spans all educational levels, offering specialized courses and hands-on experiences in robotics, engineering, coding, 3D printing, digital design, and more. The school's STEM curriculum is distinguished by consistently outstanding student achievement, with CIS students scoring 10-20 percentile points higher than U.S. and global norms in science and mathematics from Grade 3 through high school, according to annual NWEA Measure of Academic Progress testing.

Beyond core academics, CIS provides an immersive STEM education experience, ensuring students engage with technology, engineering, and innovation from an early age. Dedicated STEM classes begin in kindergarten, fostering curiosity and hands-on exploration, while early childhood programs incorporate play-based STEM learning to build foundational problem-solving skills. As students’ progress, middle school digital literacy and technology courses equip them with essential skills in design, coding, and computational thinking. In high school, students can further specialize through electives in 3D design, product design, robotics, coding, and wearable technology, allowing them to apply STEM concepts to real-world challenges. Beyond the classroom, CIS students can participate in competitive robotics teams that engage in international competitions and join after-school STEM programs such as LEGO Robotics and the F1 in Schools STEM Challenge. Additionally, the Girls in STEAM initiative empowers female students to explore and excel in technical fields, reinforcing CIS’s commitment to fostering diversity in STEM.

"At CIS, we cultivate curious, collaborative learners who solve problems innovatively," emphasized Jim Urquhart. "This accreditation marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to providing world-class, future-ready STEM education for all our students, from our youngest learners to our graduating seniors."

For CIS students, this prestigious accreditation translates to tangible educational advantages. Students now benefit from enhanced learning experiences featuring the latest STEM methodologies, access to cutting-edge technologies, and curriculum designed to develop critical future-ready skills. The certification ensures that CIS graduates enter universities and careers with advanced problem-solving abilities, technical fluency, and innovative thinking capabilities that set them apart in competitive global environments.