A small southeastern Minnesota school district is getting big recognition for how it prepares students for the science and technology demands of the global economy.

Kingsland Public Schools is the first Minnesota district to get three programs certified by Project Lead The Way, an organization addressing the nation's need for more leaders in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

A team from the Indianapolis-based organization interviewed teachers and administrators and reviewed students' work before certifying the district's Gateway to Technology, Pathway to Engineering and Biomedical Sciences programs.

The district's STEM innovations have included forming a partnership with the Mayo Clinic, whose scientists mentor students in the biomedical and engineering programs.

Kingsland has about 700 K-12 students from the Spring Valley and Wykoff communities, south of Rochester. A "certification celebration" is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Monday at the high school.