STEM Information Meeting Spartanburg School District Six

Agenda What is STEM?What is STEM? Why STEM?Why STEM? How will students be accepted into the program?How will students be accepted into the program?

STEM is… a rare type of program. South Carolina has only one National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science, and Technology certified STEM program. South Carolina has only one National Consortium for Specialized Secondary Schools of Mathematics, Science, and Technology certified STEM program. This four-year program has been designed from the ground up for a particular type of student. This four-year program has been designed from the ground up for a particular type of student. The STEM program will allow accepted students to function as part of a cohort, working with one another to form a cohesive team. The STEM program will allow accepted students to function as part of a cohort, working with one another to form a cohesive team.

STEM is… a joint effort by our middle schools, Dorman Freshman Campus, Dorman High School, RD Anderson, and a variety of community partners. Mary Black Health System Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Converse College Spartanburg Community College USC-Upstate Wofford College Duer/Carolina Coil S&ME Wade Crow Engineering

AP Computer Science AP Psychology AP Chemistry Foundations of STEM AP Biology Physical Science Honors AP Physics Anatomy/Physiology Honors AP Statistics AP Environmental Science AP Calculus AB Engineering Drafting STEM AP Calculus BC STEM Research Project STEM Research I STEM Community Internship STEM Research II STEM is… STEM is… a rigorous program of study that focuses on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

STEM is… STEM is… an opportunity for students to participate in accelerated, and integrated science/ mathematics classes. AP Computer Science AP Psychology AP Chemistry Foundations of STEM AP Biology Physical Science Honors AP Physics Anatomy/Physiology Honors AP Statistics AP Environmental Science AP Calculus AB Engineering Drafting STEM AP Calculus BC STEM Community Internship STEM Research I Summer Physical Education STEM Research II

STEM is… STEM is… an opportunity for students to have unique science/ mathematics classes and experiences. AP Computer Science AP Psychology AP Chemistry Foundations of STEM AP Biology Physical Science Honors AP Physics Anatomy/Physiology Honors AP Statistics AP Environmental Science AP Calculus AB Engineering Drafting STEM AP Calculus BC STEM Community Internship STEM Research I STEM Research II

Science & Math Are Essential to the New Economy “Of the 30 fastest-growing occupations projected through 2016, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook concludes that 16 of them will require substantial Mathematics or Science preparation.” Source: STEM Education Coalition

“A strong consensus is emerging among scientific, business, and education leaders that America’s ability to innovate and compete in the global marketplace is directly tied to the ability of our public schools to adequately prepare all of our children in STEM.” Science & Math Education is Essential for a Skilled Workforce Source: Building a Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Agenda, National Governor’s Association

STEM Application Process Candidates for the STEM program… (non-STEM, answers, “guinea pigs”/ highly responsive) are currently 8 th graders.are currently 8 th graders. are probably currently enrolled in Honor’s Algebra I or Honor’s Geometry.are probably currently enrolled in Honor’s Algebra I or Honor’s Geometry. are interested in a very intense program of science/ mathematics.are interested in a very intense program of science/ mathematics. have good grades in science/ mathematics.have good grades in science/ mathematics. have strong science/ mathematics test scores (PACT, MAP, PASS)have strong science/ mathematics test scores (PACT, MAP, PASS) have science/ mathematics teachers who are willing to recommend them for the program.have science/ mathematics teachers who are willing to recommend them for the program. are willing to compose an essay in a controlled setting.are willing to compose an essay in a controlled setting.

STEM Timeline January 14 – 21: Middle School Information Meetings January 28: Parent Information Meeting, 5:30 at DFC February 15-16: Application essay sessions February 19: Applications completed and turned in March 15: STEM acceptance notifications August, 2010: Inaugural STEM class enters DFC