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CyberSTEM™ (Middle School)What are students, teachers and parents saying? Sometimes it’s hard to get this age group involved, especially to stay after school. It’s something when they come and ask to make the program on a different day then basketball practice to make sure they can attend. Not to mention how much I learn in the process. Teacher I have been most impressed with the connection between your after school program and with what is taught during the day. For the first time I saw a spark of real interest in my daughter’s eyes. She has never been interested in anything math or science related before, but she is looking forward to their classes, she is doing homework in advance, doing a science fair related to something done in the CyberSTEM program and she has even started to think about doing this as a career field. Thank you again! Parent
Students engage in hands-on STEM activities and learn about digital literacy (technology fluency and applications, team building, collaboration tools, problem based critical thinking), tied to local math , technology and science curriculum while learning and applying basic ethical, safety and security concepts through gaming, modeling and simulation development, all while investigating exciting careers that interconnect the fields of science, technology, engineering and math- emphasis placed on information assurance including cryptography and digital forensics.
Based on the successful Young Scholars Program curriculum developed through a National Science Foundation Research grant, the STEM Mindtools Program:
Programs have been held in after/before school, extension or integrated format delivery. A staff member from the school is recruited to serve as advisor/instructor for the program. We provide professional development, supply materials and content updates, and continue to network, support and connect all instructors for cross pollination of efforts. Sessions typically run between 1 and 1 ½ hours once a week. The year round program typically consists of two 8-10 week sessions over the course of the year. Speakers are scheduled for each semester. If run as an informal after school program, students are recruited through school efforts; fliers, PTA bulletin, school newsletters and website. Principals work with teachers to also target students. Past efforts have been fruitful in recruiting girls and special needs students (autistic and dyslexic). Take home parent materials are included with all activities. Parents are encouraged to attend at least one session each semester, in addition to the final Student Showcase event held at the end of each term. The program encourages students to continue to stay with the program by offering small give-aways for class challenges (donated by partners), session certificates and yearly participation awards (trophies-which get larger for each year participating). |
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