Course Catalog

Course Catalog

Northeast STEM Starter Academy Programmatic Summary, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017

Course Catalog

 Program Name, Description, Cohorts. Date

STEM I, Cohort 1, 7th Graders- 8/12

STEM I was a 2-week intensive academic program that emphasized increasing students’ knowledge and interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) as a potential career path.  Twenty-nine 7th grade students explored genomics and robotics along with a constructivist approach to mathematics (Linear Equations) and physical science (Properties of Matter & Energy Transformations).  The STEM I program’s curriculum, instruction, and assessments were tightly interwoven to support student learning via problem solving, research, critical thinking and communication skills.

Girls Innovate, Cohort 2, 10th/11th Graders, 12/14

The Girls Innovate IT program was a collaboration between MVTSYA and Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship (NFTE) to provide STEM learning experiences for high school (10th and 11th grades) female students in Mt. Vernon City School District.  Twenty-five female students participated in coursework to promote STEM education and entrepreneurship. The coursework was delivered over 6 Saturdays in October and November 2014.

STEM I, Field Trip, 8th Graders, Cohort 1, 12/12

Twenty-nine students who participated in the STEM I (Cohort 1) visited Regeneron Laboratories Headquarters in Tarrytown, New York.  Regeneron, New York State’s largest biotech company, is a leading science-based biopharmaceutical company that discovers, invents, develops, manufactures, and commercializes medicines for the treatment of serious medical conditions.  The field trip included an extensive tour of the facilities, lunch and Q&A session with 3 minority scientists around their experiences within the STEM field.

Science of Success I, Cohort 3, 11th/ 11th Graders, 11/15

The Science of Success program was designed for twenty-five high school (10th and 11th grades) male students in Mt. Vernon City School District.  The dual modular program will primarily focus on computer coding (Module I) and mentorship (Module II).

Module I will provide students with an introductory into computer –game coding. The five-week program will provide extensive computer hands-on instruction including each student creating their own working program. Students will be provided with the text books to support continued study.

Module II, the mentorship module will be delivered each week by one of 5 highly successful African American or Hispanic men who will share their personal history and experiences regarding success and overcoming challenges.  During the weekly 90 minute sessions, the guest will lead an interactive exchange including several situational “role-play” activities that will enable an expanded view on how the students can view and respond to challenges typically encountered by minority males.

The coursework will be delivered over 5 Saturdays in March April -2015. Each student will receive a Certificate of Completion and a $50.00 Travel Stipend as a result of attending all five modules and arriving on time. The students and up to two guest will be invited to attend a dinner celebration following the completion of the course.

STEM I-C2, 8th Graders, S002-01, Cohort 1, 8/15

STEM II is a follow-up to STEM I.  Twenty-nine students who participated in the STEM I (Cohort I) will extend their capacities in designing, constructing and programming robots.  Additionally, students will explore algebraic concepts (Relationships Between Quantities and Reasoning with Equations and Their Graphs) and biochemistry (Process of Living Organisms, Feedback and Homeostasis & Enzymes).  The STEM II program’s curriculum, instruction, and assessments will be tightly interwoven to support student learning via problem solving, research, critical thinking and communication skills.

STEM IB, S001-04, Cohort 4, 7th Graders, 8/15

STEM I will be a 2-week intensive academic program that will emphasize increasing students’ knowledge and interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) as a potential career path.  Twenty-five 7th grade students will explore genomics and robotics along with a constructivist approach to mathematics (Linear Equations) and physical science (Properties of Matter & Energy Transformations).  The STEM I program’s curriculum, instruction, and assessments will be tightly interwoven to support student learning via problem solving, research, critical thinking and communication skills.

STEM III, S001-05, Cohort 5, 5th Graders, 8/15

STEM III will be a 1-week intensive academic program that will emphasize increasing students’ knowledge and interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) as a potential career path.  Twenty-five 5th grade students will explore engineering through rocket building along with science and math study. The STEM III program’s curriculum, instruction, and assessments will be tightly interwoven to support student learning via problem solving, research, critical thinking and communication skills.

Science of Success II, M001-03, Cohort 2 & 3, 10th /11th Graders, 2/16

The Science of Success II program is designed for high school (10th and 11th grades) male and female students in Mt. Vernon City School District.  The program is intended to extend the relationship with the same two groups of cohorts that started in late 2015 and early 2016 with the Science of Success program for boys and Girls Innovate IT program for girls. This year’s program will include instruction for 50 students.

The dual modular program will primarily focus on computer coding (Module I) and mentorship (Module II).  Module I provide students with additional learning specific to computer coding and adds their building robots utilizing the mBot product.  The six Saturday   program will provide extensive computer hands-on instruction including each student working in a small group to create their programed robot. The class will conclude with the two winning groups competing for best in class recognition.

The coursework will be delivered over 6 Saturdays in February through April -2016. Each student will receive a Certificate of Completion and a $50.00 Travel Stipend as a result of attending all modules and arriving on time.

STEM III-2, S001-06, Cohort 5, 5th Graders, 4/16

STEM III -2 will be a 5 Saturday program that will reengage 5th grader, current 6th graders that attended the NSSA 5th grader Summer Camp program last summer along with the number of additional current graders needed to include 25 students.  The twenty-five 6th grade students will explore engineering through water robot building along with math study. The STEM III-2 program’s curriculum, instruction, and assessments will be tightly interwoven to support student learning via problem solving, research, critical thinking and communication skills.

STEM IV, S001-05, Cohort 5, 5th/6th Graders, 8/16

STEM III will be a 2-week intensive academic program that will emphasize increasing students’ knowledge and interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) as a potential career path.  Twenty-five 5th & 6th grade students will explore engineering through rocket building along with science and math study. The STEM III program’s curriculum, instruction, and assessments will be tightly interwoven to support student learning via problem solving, research, critical thinking and communication skills. The program will include special emphasis on facilitating the cohorts embracing the value of literacy and effective communication skills.

STEM IC, S001-04, Cohort 4, 7th/8th Graders

STEM I will be a 2-week intensive academic program that will emphasize increasing students’ knowledge and interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) as a potential career path.  Twenty-five 7th and 8th grade students will explore genomics and robotics along with a constructivist approach to mathematics (Linear Equations) and physical science (Properties of Matter & Energy Transformations).  The STEM I program’s curriculum, instruction, and assessments will be tightly interwoven to support student learning via problem solving, research, critical thinking and communication skills. The program will include special emphasis on facilitating the cohorts embracing the value of literacy and effective communication skills.

STEM I-D2, S003-01, Cohort 1, 9th/10th Graders, 8/16

STEM VI will be a 2-week intensive academic program that will emphasize increasing students’ knowledge and interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) as a potential career path.  Twenty-five 9th and 10th grade students will explore genomics and robotics along with a constructivist approach to mathematics (Linear Equations) and physical science (Properties of Matter & Energy Transformations).  The STEM I program’s curriculum, instruction, and assessments will be tightly interwoven to support student learning via problem solving, research, critical thinking and communication skills. The program will include special emphasis on facilitating the cohorts embracing the value of literacy and effective communication skills.

STEM VI, Cohort 6, 4th Graders, 12/16

STEM VI will be a 10-week after-school program provided 2 hours after-school 2 week days and 4 hours on Saturday each week for the ten weeks. Students will receive math tutoring on one day of the week days and science tutoring on the other weekday. On each of the 10 Saturdays, one parent or guardian will be required to attend. In addition to parent engagement within the educational process, the class will also utilize the Saturday classes to support student literacy and effective communication. On Saturdays, all students will participate in presenting the lessons provided during the week with a focus on articulating what they learned to attending parents. Parents and students will also be provided opportunities to work together to solve math or science based problems and challenges.  This NSSA program will be delivered annually with the intent to include the same group of cohorts each year though their entry into high school. If necessary, additional students may be added each year to maintain 25 participants.

The STEM VI program’s curriculum, instruction, and assessments will be tightly interwoven to support student learning via problem solving, research, critical thinking and communication skills. The program will include special emphasis on facilitating the cohorts embracing the value of literacy and effective communication skills.

Dr. Satish Jagnandan – Director of Educational Services Copyright © – All Rights Reserved.