Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics Magnet Program

Transcription

1 Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics Magnet Program

2 Welcome to STEM! The AACPS STEM Magnet Program is an academic choice that offers students a rigorous interdisciplinary environment centered around the subjects of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Over the course of it s four year (grades 9-12) program, STEM provides a problembased, technology rich learning environment where students interested in the STEM fields can study the connections between the STEM subjects learned in school, and the world experienced every day. Elements of science, technology, engineering, and math can be seen in almost every aspect of our lives, as long as we know were to look. From studying the interactions between art and math to collecting, analyzing, and presenting experimental data, the STEM Magnet Program exposes student to the important of these subjects in every aspect of life outside of the classroom.

3 Before we begin General Magnet Program Information All AACPS Magnet Programs Offer students a specialized course of study or an emphasis on instruction that is different from the traditional curriculum offered in AACPS. Are a key component of Anne Arundel County s vision for Programs of Choice. Attract qualified students from all areas of the county who complete an admission process. Are public school programs and do not involve any additional cost to attend. o Some programs may have lab, field trip, or exam fees. Provide transportation through regional consolidated community bus stops. o Private transportation is required to and from the community bus stops. Most bus stops are located at local elementary schools, middle schools, or libraries.

4 What benefits does STEM offer? A curriculum that weaves STEM topics through all courses; Access to cutting-edge, 21 st century technology as an important part of the classroom; Project/Problem-based learning that challenges students to consider, discuss, and solve real-world, hands-on problems; Frequent opportunities to explore STEM careers through job shadows and internships; Community and industry partnerships with local STEM organizations, such as the Fort Meade Alliance and Northrop Grumman; and Educational partnerships with local colleges and universities to prepare for academic success after high school.

5 Our Home North County and South River High School A student s Magnet School is determined by his or her home middle school: Magnet School: Home Middle School: Your Home Middle School is based on your address. This is the school that you would attend with other student s in your community North County High School Arundel Brooklyn Park Chesapeake Bay Corkran George Fox Lindale MacArthur Marley Meade Old Mill North Old Mill South South River High School Annapolis Bates Central Crofton Magothy River Severn River Severna Park

6 North County High School School Phone: School Website: Principal: Julie Cares Lead Teacher: Trekker Williams

7 South River High School School Phone: School Website: Principal: William Myers Lead Teachers: Geraldine Robbins

8 STEM Pathways of Study STEM students get to choose from one of the following Pathways of Study to follow through their four years in the STEM Magnet Program: Green Technologies Computer Science and Theoretical Applied Mathematics Nanotechnology and Materials Science Earth and Space Systems Engineering Although most of the classes that STEM students take in 9 th grade will be related generally to the STEM fields, as students move through the four years of the program, their classes will become more focused on their chosen pathway.

9 What classes do STEM students take? Problem-Project Based Learning STEM Art STEM Government Policy STEM Research Honors Computer Science Honors Mathematics Honors English Honors Science Honors World Language Project Lead the Way (PTLW) At the South River program only. Senior Capstone course All courses have overlays that reflect STEM topics.

10 What will students do in Problem-Project Based Learning? Problem-Project Based Learning (PBL) Are 4 to 6 week modules of in-depth, project/problem-based learning focused on a specific STEM-related issue. Use Socratic discussions to challenge students to consider interesting and relevant STEM topics. Often include visits from STEM professionals familiar with the current discussion. Problem-Project Based Learning topics may include: Space Mission 2025 Discover and discuss issues surrounding extended space travel and meet with an astronaut who has experienced those issues first-hand. Botany by Design Study the importance of agriculture on local and global cultures. Robots Invade Art Explore the field of robotics, including programming, designing and building, while considering the aesthetic impact on function.

11 Here is a sample Grade 9 schedule* Grade 9 Fall Semester Period/Block A Day B Day 1 Problem-Project Based Learning US Government Hybrid (SRHS) STEM Art (NCHS) Physics (NCHS) Or Systems Science A (SRHS) STEM Computer Science 2 STEM Honors English 9 Honors Geometry** 3 AP Human Geography (NCHS) Or Principals of Engineering (PLTW)**** or Elective 4 World Classical Language*** Elective (NCHS) Or STEM Foundations of Art (SRHS) Principals of Engineering (PLTW)**** or Elective *This schedule serves as an example of a typical ninth grade student s schedule. Your student s schedule may look different. **Students will register for Honors Geometry, Honors Algebra II, or Honors Pre-Calculus as determined by their current Math level. ***A student s world language level will be determined by his or her current World Language ****PLTW at South River High School Only

12 Applying to the STEM Program As with all AACPS Magnet Schools, students must complete an application process and be determined eligible for the STEM program. Students can apply to the STEM program in the fall of their 8 th grade year.

13 The Magnet Application Process: The Application 1. Information Nights: Attend the STEM Information Night in the fall to visit your magnet school, meet the STEM facilitators and teachers, and learn more about the program. Visit the Magnet Website ( for details on any upcoming Information Nights. 2. The Application: Complete the online Magnet Application by the posted deadline. The Magnet Application opens in the fall and will remain open for approximately two months. The Magnet Application is posted at 3. The Interview: Sign-up for and complete a Challenge Interview. Information about the Challenge Interview is available on the Magnet Website ( This information may vary from year to year.

14 The Magnet Application Process: Evaluation 4. Evaluation: The magnet office uses the following criteria to determine whether or not a student is eligible for STEM: a) 7 th and 8 th grade academic records b) MSA scores c) Math and World Language classes taken d) Interview scores Students may be eligible through one of two pathways These pathways are not a ranking system, but rather determine what the student will need to complete during the application process. Pathway I* Students must have: A minimum of a B average (3.0 grade average) in grade 7 Current enrollment in, or successful completion of Algebra I with a B (80%) or better Current enrollment in, or successful completion of Level 1 of a world language with a C (70%) or better Scores of Proficient or Advanced in MSA Reading and Mathematics in grade 7 or scores in the 60 percentile or above on nationally-normed tests in Reading and Mathematics An average rubric score of a 7 or better on the Magnet Challenge Interview

15 The Magnet Application Process: Evaluation (continued) Pathway II* Students must have: A minimum of a mid-c average (2.5 grade average) in grade 7 Current enrollment in or successful completion of Algebra I with a C or better OR Successful completion of STEMath 7 with a B or better AND current enrollment in STEMath 8 with a B or better. (Students must complete STEMath 8 with a B or better by the end of grade 8 in order to remain eligible for this program). Current enrollment in, or successful completion of, Level 1 of a World Language with a C or better An average rubric score of a 7 or better on the Magnet Challenge Interview Scores of Proficient or Advanced in MSA Reading and Mathematics in grade 7 or scores in the 60 percentile or above on nationally-normed tests in Reading and Mathematics An average rubric score of a 3 or better on the Academic Interview Two letters of recommendation from a recent teacher and a community member (teacher, coach, mentor, etc) *Please note that the only distinction between these two pathways is that students in Pathway II will complete an academic interview and will need letters of recommendation. Both Pathway I and Pathway II students are treated equally in the Lottery.

16 The Magnet Application Process: The Lottery and Registration 5. The Lottery: Because there are often more eligible applicants for each Magnet program than seats available, a computerized, random Lottery is usually conducted for to place students either in the program or on a wait-list. It is the belief of the Magnet Office that a Lottery is the most fair way for all students to determine who is given a seat in a Magnet Program. Students placed on the wait-list will be offered a seat as space becomes available in the program. 6. Registration: Accepted students will attend a Welcome and Registration Night for their program to learn information about the: Enrollment process Summer reading assignment STEM Summer Bridge a two week summer experience for students to engage in focused STEM experiences

17 Need More Information? Contact a member of the STEM team: Tina Gillmeister, STEM Coordinator Phone: x4 kgillmeister@aacps.org Debie Lesko, STEM Teacher Specialist Phone: x2 dlesko@aacps.org