Schools

District Submits Grant Application for New High School STEM Team

School district looks to garner student interest in the area of science, technology, engineering and mathematics

The Lacey Township School District has applied for a grant to create a new Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) team the ninth grade.

“The goal is going to be to try to increase students interest in pursing STEM related course work in high school,” Assistant Superintendent Vanessa Clark said.

The team, which would consist of 24 ninth grade students and two educators, would support the district’s eighth grade team, Clark said.

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The program focuses on building a SeaPerch, an underwater remote operated vehicle. The grant would be utilized to provide stipends for the teacher and purchase supplies, she said.

The proposed budget is $3,000 for teacher stipends and $500 for supplies, according to the grant application.

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The students will meet throughout the course of the school year, participate in activities and competitions and build SeaPerchs, she said.

It would mirror the already existing eight grade STEM program, she said, which was established last year. The teachers running the program would have science and engineering backgrounds.

“It might be the same students or generate new interest,” Clark said of the potentially new high school program. “We started the conversation about the possibility of offering STEM classes at the high school.”

High School Principal Jim Handschuch, a former science teacher, and new STEM District Supervisor Sue Hutler are looking into curriculums and course proposals, she said.

“The program could feed into new STEM classes. There is a lot of discussion about it,” she said. “There’s a huge callout for students to consider taking challenging STEM classes at the high school level, especially for those students who want to pursue engineering.”

Not enough students are pursing science and engineering, Clark said, and having a curriculum geared towards that subject area would increase awareness and support for those who are interested.

Another grant was submitted to support the existing STEM team in Lacey Middle School as well as a grant to provide registration, lodging and transportation fees associated with the May 2013 “STEM Forum and Expo” in Atlantic City. The Middle School grant was for $3,500 while the grant for the Expo totaled $500.

High School Teacher and STEM Team Coach John Kuzan was not immediately available for comment.

The STEM programs would be fully funded by the grant, if the district were awarded. Please continue to follow Lacey Patch for further updates.


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