STEM Initiatives

(Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)

Vision:  The vision is to ensure that every preK-12 student in Allegany County Public Schools is aware and excited about the broad spectrum of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics careers as viable and attainable career options.

Need:  There is a need to increase the awareness of STEM career choices and course selection requirements for these careers among PreK-12 teachers, parents, guidance counselors and students in order to promote student participation in the established STEM academies leading to enrollment in related high education programs.

Goal:  The goal is to increase the percent of students who participate in STEM academies and who continue their education at institutions of higher education in STEM areas.

          "All students need strong academic preparation to function in an increasingly inter-dependent, knowledge-based, technology-driven world.  The STEM disciplines are no longer needed just by the intellectual elite but by all citizens in our complex society.  It is imperative that research institutions, local school districts and communiites work together to find the most effective ways to raise student interest and achievement in the STEM disciplines.  The driving aim is to make STEM educational experiences local, personal, and relevant."                                                  -Center for Excellence in STEM Education

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Elementary STEM Program

The Elementary STEM Program will focus on career awareness and will culminate by having a career fair where parents and stakeholders share their work requriements, experiences and activities as they relate to STEM.

This can be accomplished using the following activities:

• provide role play opportunities for students
• lead group discussions related to STEM careers
• local STEM professionals lead interactive presentations in the classroom
• health career puppet presentations to excite students about health careers
• career videos detailing STEM careers to give students a visual representation of the possibilities
• career games, activities, and coloring books are available to use to enhance STEM career awareness

Elementary Career Fair Information

The STEM Program Coordinator can offer assistance to design and/or enhance your school's Career Fair.  This capstone experience for elementary school families will give parents, teachers, and community stakeholders the opportunity to share their work requirements, experiences and activities as they relate to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.  Hands-on demonstrations will give students and family members a chance to test their skills in some STEM careers. 

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Middle School STEM Program

The Middle School STEM Program will focus on fostering student exploration and family awareness of the broad spectrum of STEM careers. 

This can be accomplished using the following activities:

• career exploration field trips with interactive tours of local facilities
• Family STEM Night coordinated at the school to explore STEM careers
• job shadowing where students visit local professionals
• interactive classroom presentations lead by local STEM professionals

Career Exploration Camp (learn more HERE)

Download the Application/Brochure HERE

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

A highlight of the STEM Program is its summer Career Exploration Camp, designed especially to give middle school students the opportunity to explore STEM careers in an in-depth way.  Lead by expert teaching teams, students will have the opportunity to tackle real world problems, attend presentations by a wide variety of professionals, and participate in hands-on, interactive actviities in their career interest areas.  This one-week camp experience will take place on the campus of Allegany College of Maryland. 

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High School STEM Program

The High School STEM Program will focus on increasing the enrollment of students in grades 9 through 11 in merit, honors, and Advanced Placement courses by providing rigorous, academic career experiences resulting in students being better prepared and more aware of the requirements of post-secondary course work.

This can be accomplished using the following activities:

• Mentor Program
• Job Shadowing
• Field Experiences
• Internships
• Authentic Work Experiences

 Partners

• Allegany College of Maryland (ACM)
• Frostburg State University (FSU)
• United States Marine Corporation
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers -Western Maryland Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (WMD JATC)
• IA of Plumbers and Steamfitters Local #489
• Alliant Tech (ATK)
• Western Maryland Health Systems (WMHS)
• Western Maryland Area Health Education Center (WMDAHEC) 

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High School STEM Opportunity

The Meyerhoff Scholars Program at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) is currently accepting nominations for seniors who have exhibited the highest aptitude in science and mathematics and plan to pursue undergraduate studies in Science, Technology, Engineering and/or Mathematics (STEM).  The Meyerhoff Scholariship Program awards range in amounts from $5,000 up to $22,000 per year.  Please visit www.umbc.edu/meyerhoff to nominate students online and for a historical profile of the program and additional information.  Nominations must be received by October 16, 2009.

NASA’s Interdisciplinary National Science Program Incorporating Research and Education Experience, or INSPIRE, will encourage the next generation of explorers from the 9th through 12th grades to pursue an education and career in the sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields. (Click HERE to learn more)

STEM Program Coordinator: 

Contact: Kristin Morton, MS