The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Cluster includes a variety of middle and high school pathways offered through Project Lead the Way and Southern Regional Education Board.
Elective PLTW and SREB courses provide students with the opportunity to gain experience with general engineering design and application projects as they acquire discipline-specific knowledge that allows them to make informed career choices.
Students choosing to enter this cluster must realize the relationship of mathematics and science to the engineering and technology disciplines and expect to regularly apply mathematical and scientific principles throughout the courses in this cluster. Interested students will enjoy challenging curricula involving practical applications of engineering principles and technological literacy.
Knowledge gained by students in this cluster includes science and mathematics principles applicable to engineering and engineering-related careers in the following pathways:
Design and Modeling (DM) is a middle school level course that is appropriate for 7th and 8th grade students who are interested in design and engineering. The major focus of the DM course is to introduce students to design process, research and analysis, teamwork, communication methods, global and human impacts, engineering standards, and technical documentation. The course assumes no previous knowledge. Design and Modeling is one of the two foundation courses in the Gateway middle school program. The course applies and concurrently develops secondary level knowledge and skills in mathematics, science, and technology.
Medical Detectives/Flight & Space is a middle school level course where students play the role of real-life medical detectives as they analyze genetic testing results to diagnose disease and study DNA evidence found at a “crime scene.” They solve medical mysteries through hands-on projects and labs, investigate how to measure and interpret vital signs, and learn how the systems of the human body work together to maintain health.
The Aerospace Engineering courses propels students’ learning in the fundamentals of atmospheric and space flight. As they explore the physics of flight, students bring the concepts to life by designing an airfoil, propulsion system, and rockets. They learn basic orbital mechanics using industry-standard software. STEM pathways are able to explore robot systems through projects such as remotely operated vehicle construction.
Students in the S.T.E.M Cluster affiliate with Technology Student Association (TSA) as the Career Technical Student Organization. The Technology Student Association is a national student organization created to develop skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics as well as business education.
TSA aims to develop leadership, academic, and business management skills in the workplace among students and leaders within the community. TSA provides additional opportunities that enhance classroom instruction and leadership skills.
VISIT: https://www.sreb.org/
