Hands-on learning is one of the aims of the Tri-State STEM+M Early College High School in South Point.

The school, the newest public education institution in Lawrence County, offers education in science, technology, engineering, math and medicine to students ninth grade and above, and opened to its first class in August.

On Thursday, members of the public got to see just what kinds of things students at the school have been up to in the first two months of school.

Community members, business leaders and others were invited to the school to serve as judges, evaluating the work of 14 teams of students, who had been working on a water quality project as part of the environmental orientation program.

The teams of students went out and collected water and soil samples from tributaries of the Ohio River around the Tri-State area and tested them for pollutants.

They presented their results to the judges and fielded questions at Friday’s event.

Judging by the glowing reaction of the guests, their effort was a success, leaving many impressed.

STEM education prepares students for the jobs of tomorrow and, the type of learning from this field research gives students a great alternative to the traditional class approach of “lecture, notes, test and repeat.”

The passion and enthusiasm of students for their work was evident as well and it is clear the school is seeing early success.

Along with the unaffiliated STEM program of Project Lead the Way through Collins Career Technical Center, which offers classes in multiple Lawrence districts, middle and high school students throughout Lawrence County are blessed with many options and are getting a top-notch education.