What is STEM and SMR STEM 100?
STEM - the acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math - is a program to prepare students for careers in high-tech areas by introducing them to hands-on experiences in the natural sciences and engineering before college. The hope is that the STEM program will encourage students to pursue an education in engineering and technology, and to motivate students to stay engaged in engineering and the sciences throughout their lives.
SMR STEM 100 means that 100% of St. Mary's Ryken students will participate in the STEM programs offered here at SMR.
What type of STEM activities are offered to students?
A sampling of SMR STEM 100 events that have occurred this academic year (2008-09):
• AP Physics, Honors Calculus, and AP Calculus classes visited the NAS Pax Research Labs for a presentation about the catapult and the horizontal accelerator.
• All levels of the Environmental Science classes - AP, honors, and college-preparatory - heard from a local expert about alternative fuels and their viability.
• Scientists and engineers from the Pax Navy Base are available to serve and have served as mentors for science research projects. Senior Mark Ragland did this for his science fair project and won the Grand Prize at the St. Mary’s County Science Fair this year (January 2009).
• The Office of Naval Research is sponsoring the World Material Modules and kits for the Honors Physics class. The students began the design and development of their robots and will put the robots through a variety of challenges in a competition with several local schools. Programming and training is provided by Dr. Ray Gamache and associates.
• The Girls Who Dare to be Geeks Club had guest speakers from the fields of industrial, civil, mechanical and electrical engineering.
• Juniors and seniors heard a presentation about internships and job opportunities at the Pax Navy Base.
• The Robotics Club participates in competitions with other local high schools throughout the academic year and is open to all students.
