SCIENCE TECHNOLOGY ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS

Preparing Our Future Scientists, Engineers, and Mathematicians

“Our future depends on re- affirming America’s role as the world’s engine of scientific discovery and technology in-novation, and that leadership tomorrow depends on how we educate our students today, especially in math, science, technology, and engineering.”

—President Barack Obama

 

WHY STEM?

WHY DO WE NEED STEM EDUCATION?

St. Mary’s County Public School System has developed a rigorous and unique program of study emphasizing the core areas of mathematics and science with an infusion of technology and engineering. This STEM program is offered to all SMCPS students and housed at three schools: Lexington Park Elementary School, Spring Ridge Middle School, and Great Mills High School. The proximity of these three schools to the Patuxent River Naval Air Station and the Technology Corridor make them ideal sites.

RIGOR • Extensive laboratory experiences using the most contemporary technologies for scientific

inquiry, mathematical calculation, and engineering design and problem-solving techniques • Exposure to numerous and diverse technological applications including: computers, simulation

software, digital imaging, data acquisition, sensors, diagnostic, and other peripheral devices

UNDERSTANDING • Emphasis on critical and creative thinking in all academic coursework • Interdisciplinary approach to curriculum, stressing complete understanding of systems

APPLICATION • Culminating projects done cooperatively and individually to demonstrate and apply

learned concepts • Highly focused academic and career counseling to help facilitate transition to higher education

and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics • An environment of intellectual and technical exchange with local business and industry

mentors to promote awareness and interest in diverse careers in science and engineering

RELEVANCE • Curricula that integrates analytical reading and technical writing skill development • Intensive communication assignments designed to refine verbal and visual

communication abilities • Participation in nationally recognized academic and engineering competitions

OTHER KEY FEATURES OF THE STEM CONSORTIUMINTERNSHIPS

Local businesses and industries work to provide paid or non-paid internships for seniors and juniors aligned with career pathways in mathematics, science, and engineering. Every effort will be made to link the internship with the particular work addressed by the students’ project or other research conducted in their coursework. Students will strive to identify summer internships that offer authentic work experience in a STEM discipline.

MENTORSHIPSA key feature of the STEM acade-my program is the involvement of individuals from local businesses and industries with science, math-ematics, or engineering fields. Mentors assist students with coursework, offer academic and technical expertise, and provide direction for specific senior proj-ect work. Mentors may provide access to their workplace within their industry or business. Men-tors will also visit classrooms and present on selected topics to en-hance the instructional program.

PLEDGES

Local business and industry sup-port is essential to the success of this dynamic and challenging in-structional program. A foundation has been formed for those wishing to give direct monetary support to the consortium. In some cases, individuals or business partners may prefer to purchase or donate specific equipment or supplies for the many advanced level courses offered in this initiative. These ef-forts can be coordinated with the STEM supervisor.

HOW WILL STUDENTS BE ASSESSED?

The Lexington Park Elementary School STEM Academy serves fourth and fifth grade students with teamed teachers offering comprehensive coursework focused upon the interrelation of science, engineering, and mathematics. The fifth grade year will include students participating in STARBASE Atlantis offered at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station through the Department of Defense.

The Spring Ridge Middle School STEM Academy offers tailored mathematics, science, and technology courses taught by interdisciplinary

teacher teams. The courses are designed to deepen understanding of STEM learning by exposing students to the most current trends in technology, engineering, and science.

The Great Mills High School STEM Academy offers unique courses in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, giving students extraordinary knowledge

and skills, as well as career exploration in numerous science and engineering pathways. The curriculum includes dedicated research classes founded upon the application of mastered material, integrated contemporary technologies, and extensive problem-solving experience. Advanced Placement courses are incorporated as well.

INDIVIDUAL MULTIMEDIA PRESENTATION of STEM Junior Research Project with an emphasis on deep understanding and application of learning

High School

Elementary SchoolMiddle School

GROUP MULTIMEDIA PRESENTATION of STEM Problem-Solving Activity demonstrating awareness and under-standing

Students in the STEM Academy will be challenged at all levels to demonstrate mastery of concepts by applying them to real-world settings. Each academy will have a culminating CAPSTONE project that focuses on an approved problem that integrates mathematics, science, and technology as part of the solution. In the elementary grades, the focus will be on working cooperatively to find solutions. In middle school, the focus will be on developing each student’s specific talents. In high school, they will take these skills and apply them to the real world through industry internships.

WHAT DO THE STEM ACADEMIES LOOK LIKE?

CULMINATING SENIOR PROJECT will identify a unique problem to study during a comprehensive mentorship with a local science or engineering profession-al. Successful completion of this program includes 100 hours of independent work, a multimedia presentation, a written summation, and presentation in a sympo-sium format during a comprehensive men-torship with a local STEM professional.

Board of Education of St. Mary’s County

Mrs. Karin Bailey, ChairmanMrs. Rita Weaver, Vice Chairman

Mrs. Cathy AllenMrs. Mary M. Washington

Ms. Sarita D. Lee, Student MemberMr. J. Scott Smith, Secretary-Treasurer

APPLICATION PROCESS AND ACADEMY REQUIREMENTS

The St. Mary’s County Public School System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, age, national origin, marital status or sexual orientation, religion, or disability in matters affecting employment or providing access to programs.

For more information, please contact:MS. DENISE MANDIS

Supervisor of Instruction: Academy Programs and Advanced Placement

ddmandis@smcps.org301.475.5511 ext. 32138

http://www.smcps.org/academies

Advisory CommitteeAn Advisory Committee, comprised of community partners, parents, and school system personnel, will provide ongoing counsel to the STEM Consortium leadership.

FoundationA 501(c)3 tax exempt foundation will provide a vehicle for community members and business partners to donate funds to support the goals of the STEM initiative.

Access the online application form or download a pdf form from the St. Mary’s County Public School website: http://www.smcps.org/stem/application-process. Each application will be reviewed by an admissions team comprised of educators and administrators who will, in turn, make acceptance recommendations to the academy for accepting members into the program. Candidates will be evaluated based on their past academic performance, dedication to learning, and desire to pursue STEM.

For students entering Maryland for the first time, other nationally normed assessment data may be considered for

entrance in the STEM Academy.

ADMISSION CRITERIA

• Maryland State Assessment (MSA) scores • High School Assessments (Middle / High) • Percentile Ranking on MSA / HSA • OLSAT School Ability Index Score (Elementary) • Grade Point Average • Participation in Competitions and Fairs • Application Constructed Response

Grade 9 Grade 10 Grade 11 Grade 12

English English 9 (Honors) English 10 (Honors) AP English Language AP English LiteratureMath STEM Algebra 2

(Honors)STEM Precalculus

(Honors)AP Calculus AP Statistics

Science STEM Chemistry (Honors)

STEM Physics (Honors)

AP Science AP Science

Social Studies U.S. History (CM) Government (CM) or

AP Government and Politics

World History (CM) AP Social Studies or Global Diplomacy

(CM)

World Language World Language World Language World Language AP World LanguageSTEM Fine Arts STEM Biology

(Honors)STEM Research

(Honors)STEM Internship

(Honors)STEM PE/Health STEM Engineering

(Honors)Elective Elective

A TOTAL OF 28 CREDITS ARE REQUIRED FOR THE PROGRAM