FAQs

Alpha STEM Program: Frequently Asked Questions

1. How is the Alpha STEM program different than the general Honors program at Lane Tech?

The Alpha Honors STEM program is a special Honors program at Lane that is specifically for student who LOVE STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). The Alpha Honors STEM program has a unique curriculum with a focus on STEM, not only in Science classes but also in English and Math classes. In English class, Alpha students will not only be working on their research papers, but will also be reading novels with a STEM theme. In Math class, Alpha students will not only be mastering the honors curriculum, but will also spend a significant portion of time on data collection and analysis, for their scientific research. In addition, as students progress from grade level to grade level, it is mandatory that they take STEM electives. For example, as Sophomores, all Alpha Honors STEM students concurrently take Chemistry and Advanced Placement (AP) environmental science (elective) or an alternative, approved science elective.

2. Is the Alpha STEM program harder than the Honors program?

The Alpha Honors STEM program and general honors program are equally as challenging. Alpha Honors STEM and general honors students are required to master the same knowledge and skills necessary in each class and grade level. However, it must be noted that Alpha Honors STEM students do have an additional task of completing individual scientific research and presenting their research. Therefore, the Alpha Honors STEM program requires students to spend a great deal of time and commitment outside of class accomplishing this additional task.

3. Is there are higher grading scale for Alpha?

Alpha has the same grading scale as the general honors program. All honors classes (including Alpha honors) are graded on a 5.0 scale (A=5, B=4…). All regular classes are graded on a 4.0 scale. All AP classes are graded on a 6.0 scale. Lane Tech uses the CPS grading scale: A:100-90. B:89-80, C:79-70, D:69-60, F:59-0.

4. Can I still apply if I have never done science fair before?

Science fair experience is recommended but not required to join the Alpha STEM program. Students enter the Alpha STEM program with a wide range of knowledge and skills, as related to scientific research. Our Alpha Honors STEM teachers are dedicated to helping and supporting students throughout the scientific research process.

5. I’m not really interested in science, but I want to be in the most challenging program at Lane Tech. Is this program right for me?

Alpha STEM is a program for students who LOVE STEM, therefore it is recommended that students enjoy science, technology, engineering, and math. Ultimately, students should be excited to be in a cohort of students who enjoy science and math courses. Most of our students have future goals of becoming computer engineers, doctors, engineers, pharmacists, physicists, researchers, science teachers, and other STEM related careers. Other students have a passion for science and plan to use their knowledge in their future studies and careers in business, law, and politics, for example. Even if you don’t know what career path you are headed towards, you must truly love the STEM fields to really enjoy being in the program. Students, who don’t LOVE STEM, can be equally successful and challenged in the general honors program. Students in the general honors program have the opportunity to develop a curriculum path that best meets their needs and interests. Additionally, Lane Tech students have the option of taking any of the 36 Advanced Placement course offerings. It is highly recommended that you make an appointment to speak with your counselor to discuss your interests and devise a possible 4 year plan with the courses you want to take.

6. If I decide the Alpha STEM program isn’t right for me, can I quit the program?

The Alpha Honors STEM program is a 4-year curriculum path. We highly discourage students from quitting the program once they have been admitted. Quitting a few weeks into the program or mid-year is a major problem because Alpha Honors STEM students have a uniquely designed curriculum in Math, Science, and English. Transferring from an Alpha Honors STEM class to a non-Alpha Honors STEM class will be a major difference and may result in the student being lost or having to make up weeks of missed work. Therefore, quitting the program does not guarantee placement in the general honors program, since we can only place students into classes that are not already full.

7. If I decide not to apply now, can I apply as a Sophomore?

Alpha Honors STEM builds on knowledge, skills, and concepts learned from year 1 in Alpha to year 4 in Alpha. Freshman year, students work the entire year on developing, conducting, and presenting their scientific experiment at the Freshmen Science Fair in May. During their sophomore year, students work independently to complete their scientific research and compete in the December Science Fair, which enables the students to move on to the network, city, state, and international science fairs. Therefore, students are only accepted into the program as freshmen.

8. How exactly are the English courses different? Will students still read American/British classic literature?

Answered by Mr. Nordlund, Alpha English II and AP Literature teacher:

Alpha English courses are designed to both be responsive to the STEM concentration of Lane's Alpha program and provide essential literary and nonfiction texts to develop college/career reading, writing, speaking, listening, and critical thinking skills.

Skills are the primary focus, but great texts are the critical access point for students to stretch and practice those skills. Lane has chosen to vertically align to AP classes, and the Alpha program strongly suggests that juniors take AP Language & Composition (focus on nonfiction, argument analysis, and argument) and that seniors take AP Literature & Composition (focus on poetry, short stories, plays, and novels). The sophomore and freshman curricula are designed as pre-AP, to pave the way for some of the analytical and reading habits students will be required to undertake on a much more independent level in junior and senior years in their AP English classes. Both AP classes junior and senior years provide a solid basis of classic texts for college; our freshman and sophomore texts feature multiple college-level titles, though they are taught with supports to facilitate student comprehension and success.

To expand on the topic of texts, Alpha students read a blend of classic and contemporary texts to engage meaningfully with the topics and skills we set out. Additionally, we select texts that invite meaningful discussions around science, its practitioners, and how society interacts with the scientific community and its discoveries and innovations. To provide an example, I will describe a couple of the topics and texts I have covered this year: I used Mary Shelley's novel Frankenstein in my Alpha II class, as it is an intimate and tragic depiction of a scientist who ventures outside of moral boundaries and the self-correcting limitations of the scientific community. Our MIT Press edition is annotated by and for scientists, engineers, and creators of all kinds. In our pre-AP Language unit, we look at American founding documents in context of contemporary American conversations - particularly those that concern the roles of science in society - e.g., future roles of artificial intelligence, sustainable energy, food science, automation, etc. We examine how the Scientific Revolution brought about American democracy and how we continue to debate and measure societal success and freedom. At the end of the year, we conduct debates on student-selected topics and they prepare speeches to argue the merits or downfalls of enacting policy to respond appropriately to our changing culture and technology. Also, to further respond to your question about texts, students can expect to study a Shakespeare text each of the four years at Lane. Because text selection can vary from year to year, I will not provide a definitive reading list for the Alpha English curriculum.

As an English teacher, I see these Alpha students held to much higher standards for Language Arts than Core students. In addition to the nonfiction/argument analysis and literary analysis built into all four years (including 2 years of AP English), our Alpha STEM students must conduct extensive research in support of their STEM exhibition investigation. This research writing is essential instruction for any college student - specifically, this research is meant to provide a foundation for any aspiring scientist who wishes to publish the findings of their studies. The STEM Exhibition also provides an authentic opportunity for oral presentation to a professional in the field - we practice presentation skills through various discussion and to build confidence and poise when they present. Some Alpha students elect to take the AP Capstone program, which is two years of intensive research. The feedback I have received from returning Alpha alumni is that the Capstone program is close to the kind of rigorous investigations they were completing in college. Our two years of research work prepares students very well for the Capstone program.