Jessica, a seventh grade teacher and science department chair for King George County (VA) Schools, says that the STEM program has become so popular at her school that it is being embraced by non-science faculty.

The English department jumped on board this year, devoting three weeks to studying coral reefs. A Civics class is talking about scheduling a discussion of the politics and government action that go into preserving coral reefs.

"The kids get very into it," says Jessica. "They like the competition factor. That is what middle school is about."