In the MSD of Lawrence Township, excellence is directly connected to the outstanding programs and resources made available to students. One of those programs is the McKenzie Center for Innovation & Technology (MCIT).
Available to students from Lawrence Central and Lawrence North High School, MCIT houses state-of-the-art equipment and materials in classrooms and labs at a stand-alone site on 75th Street just east of Shadeland Avenue. MCIT embraces rigorous academic programs and diverse technological career courses that help students increase understanding and explore career paths.
At MCIT, students are prepared for post-secondary education, military service, workplace entry, or advanced technical training in a variety of fields. College bound students get job experiences to help them define career plans, identify appropriate courses of study, and earn college credits. Strong partnerships with Ivy Tech Community College, Vincennes University and Indiana University allow students to earn college credit for high school coursework, often at little or no cost.
Because Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs like MCIT emphasize career-readiness, they teach important employability skills. With over 100 area business and community partners, MCIT is committed to providing students with real life experiences that prepare them for the world of work. Students complete hands-on internships in the field as a supplement to classroom instruction. Partnerships with cutting edge companies and major employers like Roche Diagnostics, Community Health Network, and Rolls Royce provide students with opportunities to engage with curriculum at the highest level.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment outlook for healthcare-related professions is expected to increase 14% by 2028. This projection suggests growth that is far more rapid than the rest of the economy and does not include industry professionals who will retire within the next 10 years. Students graduating with dual credit and/or industry-recognized certifications in Health & Biomedical Science are ready to continue their academic careers while eligible to begin field work immediately. In the Health Sciences program, students earn dual credit and Indiana certification as a Certified Nursing Aide (CNA), allowing them to serve as an essential worker and utilize their skills while continuing their education. In Biomedical Sciences, students have the opportunity to earn college credit and learn fundamental research and application skills that prepare them for college.
“I’m extremely grateful for the Biomedical Sciences program and its wonderful educators for inspiring a love of science in me at such a pivotal time in my life,” says Aiysha Amjad, 2018 Lawrence Central High School graduate and Biology and Neuroscience Major at IUPUI. “The courses not only introduced me to lab techniques that I have used in three different research labs, but they allowed me to develop critical and analytical thinking skills that are imperative for future scientists.”
Benjamin Freije is a student at the Indiana University School of Medicine, and a Lawrence North High School 2016 graduate and 2020 Wooster College graduate. He shares, “Studying Biomedical Sciences at MCIT gave me the edge I needed to start college strong and finish stronger.”
The low teacher-student ratio, nurturing environment, cutting edge technology, and broad array of career programs, dual-credit course, and nationally recognized certifications are continually cited as advantages by MCIT families. At McKenzie Center for Innovation & Technology, anything is possible!
