FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Application FAQs
Application FAQs
What qualities do students need to be successful in STT?
What qualities do students need to be successful in STT?
We get this question a lot! While it helps if they have a passion for science, it's not required! To be successful in STT students need to be hard-working, critical thinkers. Successful students want to make connections - between different parts of our world and with other students from across DeKalb.
We get this question a lot! While it helps if they have a passion for science, it's not required! To be successful in STT students need to be hard-working, critical thinkers. Successful students want to make connections - between different parts of our world and with other students from across DeKalb.
What courses do STT students take?
What courses do STT students take?
In one semester, STT students take two accelerated high school science courses: STT Biology and STT Environmental Science. Upon successful completion of STT, participants earn one Carnegie Unit of Biology and one Carnegie Unit of Environmental Science, thereby meeting two high school graduation requirements. Students are placed into small groups and rotate through eight Biology and eight Environmental Science modules, each lasting 4-7 days.
In one semester, STT students take two accelerated high school science courses: STT Biology and STT Environmental Science. Upon successful completion of STT, participants earn one Carnegie Unit of Biology and one Carnegie Unit of Environmental Science, thereby meeting two high school graduation requirements. Students are placed into small groups and rotate through eight Biology and eight Environmental Science modules, each lasting 4-7 days.
How many students are accepted into the STT program?
How many students are accepted into the STT program?
Each school year, 180 students are selected to participate in the STT program -- ninety students are selected to attend each semester.
Each school year, 180 students are selected to participate in the STT program -- ninety students are selected to attend each semester.
Who can apply for the STT program?
Who can apply for the STT program?
Any 8th grade student who will attend a DCSD high school can apply to participate in the STT program during their 9th grade year.
Any 8th grade student who will attend a DCSD high school can apply to participate in the STT program during their 9th grade year.
When is the application deadline?
When is the application deadline?
Each middle school sets its own application deadline. Contact your school's STT Liaison for more information on applicaiton deadlines.
Each middle school sets its own application deadline. Contact your school's STT Liaison for more information on applicaiton deadlines.
When will students be notified of their acceptance?
When will students be notified of their acceptance?
Students and families will be notified of their acceptance in May, via email. High schools will be notified as well.
Students and families will be notified of their acceptance in May, via email. High schools will be notified as well.
Can students attend STT and be enrolled in a magnet program?
Can students attend STT and be enrolled in a magnet program?
Students that are accepted and enrolled into a DCSD magnet program are not eligible to attend STT. However, students applying to magnet programs may still apply to STT and choose which program to enroll in based on acceptance. Students that participate in School Choice may still attend STT as long as they are not in a magnet program.
Students that are accepted and enrolled into a DCSD magnet program are not eligible to attend STT. However, students applying to magnet programs may still apply to STT and choose which program to enroll in based on acceptance. Students that participate in School Choice may still attend STT as long as they are not in a magnet program.
Other STT FAQs
Other STT FAQs
What happens if a student takes Biology or Environmental Science at their home school?
What happens if a student takes Biology or Environmental Science at their home school?
Students who will be participating in the STT program should not sign up for Biology or Environmental Science at their designated high schools. Students that attend STT during spring semester MUST NOT ENROLL IN BIOLOGY OR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE during fall semester at their home school or they will be ineligible to attend STT.
Students who will be participating in the STT program should not sign up for Biology or Environmental Science at their designated high schools. Students that attend STT during spring semester MUST NOT ENROLL IN BIOLOGY OR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE during fall semester at their home school or they will be ineligible to attend STT.
How will I get there? TRANSPORTATION
How will I get there? TRANSPORTATION
DCSD provides transportation to and from STT for most schools - DCSD charter school families should check with their school administration regarding transportation.
DCSD provides transportation to and from STT for most schools - DCSD charter school families should check with their school administration regarding transportation.
Morning transportation - Students are picked up at a bus top in their neighborhood. The bus will either bring students directly to FSC, or students will be taken to a shuttle and transported to STT by the shuttle bus. Parents are permitted to drop students off at FSC in the morning from 7:30 a.m. - 7:45 a.m.
Morning transportation - Students are picked up at a bus top in their neighborhood. The bus will either bring students directly to FSC, or students will be taken to a shuttle and transported to STT by the shuttle bus. Parents are permitted to drop students off at FSC in the morning from 7:30 a.m. - 7:45 a.m.
Afternoon transportation - At 11:00 a.m., all students will be transported back to their home schools via DCSD school bus.
Afternoon transportation - At 11:00 a.m., all students will be transported back to their home schools via DCSD school bus.
What is the STT daily schedule like?
What is the STT daily schedule like?
STT instruction begins at 8:00 a.m. Each day, students have a ten-minute, mid-morning break. Students are encouraged to bring a snack to eat/drink. There is no cafeteria at FSC and students are not permitted to use vending machines. Students will then be bused back to their home schools, at 11:00 a.m., for the remainder of the school day; they will eat lunch at their home school.
STT instruction begins at 8:00 a.m. Each day, students have a ten-minute, mid-morning break. Students are encouraged to bring a snack to eat/drink. There is no cafeteria at FSC and students are not permitted to use vending machines. Students will then be bused back to their home schools, at 11:00 a.m., for the remainder of the school day; they will eat lunch at their home school.
What are the current STT modules?
What are the current STT modules?
On paper, STT students are taking 2 courses: Biology and Environmental Science. However, we break each course into eight modules - each is taught by a field specialist. See the list of current STT modules below.
On paper, STT students are taking 2 courses: Biology and Environmental Science. However, we break each course into eight modules - each is taught by a field specialist. See the list of current STT modules below.
- Biology Modules: Anatomy, Animal Diversity, Biochemistry, Botany, Genetics, Invertebrate Biology, Microbiology, Population Ecology, and Vertebrate Biology
- Environmental Science Modules: Atmospheric Science, Agriculture & Forestry, Chemistry, Energy, Engineering, Environmental Ecology, Planetary Science, Physics
How do students rotate through STT modules?
How do students rotate through STT modules?
STT students are placed in groups of 15-16 students and rotate through eight Biology and eight Environmental Science modules with their group. Modules last from 4 to 7 days. Students are given a calendar at the beginning of the semester, and they are responsible for keeping up with their course schedule (location, instructor, etc.).
STT students are placed in groups of 15-16 students and rotate through eight Biology and eight Environmental Science modules with their group. Modules last from 4 to 7 days. Students are given a calendar at the beginning of the semester, and they are responsible for keeping up with their course schedule (location, instructor, etc.).
Which semester do students come to STT?
Which semester do students come to STT?
Each DCSD high school has a designated semester in which their students attend STT (see participation schedule below).
Each DCSD high school has a designated semester in which their students attend STT (see participation schedule below).
Fall Semester Schools:
Fall Semester Schools:
- Cedar Grove High School
- Clarkston High School
- Columbia High School
- Dunwoody High School
- Lakeside High School
- Lithonia High School
- Stephenson High School
- Stone Mountain High School
- Towers High School
- DeKalb Early College Academy
Spring Semester Schools:
Spring Semester Schools:
Arabia Mountain High School
Chamblee High School
Cross Keys High School
Druid Hills High School
Martin Luther King Jr. High School
Miller Grove High School
Redan High School
Southwest DeKalb High School
Tapestry High School
Tucker High School
Do STT students take the Georgia Milestone End of Course Test?
Do STT students take the Georgia Milestone End of Course Test?
Yes! Toward the end of the semester, STT students take the Biology Georgia Milestone End of Course (EOC) assessment at their school of record. More information regarding testing is shared with students before testing begins.
Yes! Toward the end of the semester, STT students take the Biology Georgia Milestone End of Course (EOC) assessment at their school of record. More information regarding testing is shared with students before testing begins.
Does FSC serve breakfast?
Does FSC serve breakfast?
No. We do not have a cafeteria and therefore we don't serve breakfast or lunch. Each day, students will have a ten-minute, mid-morning break. They are strongly encouraged to eat breakfast before they come and bring a snack for their break. Students will be bused back to their home schools at 11:00 a.m.; they will eat lunch and complete their school day at their home school.
No. We do not have a cafeteria and therefore we don't serve breakfast or lunch. Each day, students will have a ten-minute, mid-morning break. They are strongly encouraged to eat breakfast before they come and bring a snack for their break. Students will be bused back to their home schools at 11:00 a.m.; they will eat lunch and complete their school day at their home school.
Where is Fernbank Science Center located?
Where is Fernbank Science Center located?
Fernbank Science Center is located across from Fernbank Elementary School. The physical address is 156 Heaton Park Drive, NE, Atlanta, Ga 30307.
Fernbank Science Center is located across from Fernbank Elementary School. The physical address is 156 Heaton Park Drive, NE, Atlanta, Ga 30307.
