Program Description:

 

The Lassiter High School Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Academy offers students a rigorous curriculum driven by problem based learning and project based learning in a student-centered environment. In accordance with the Georgia Department of Education STEM goals, the Lassiter STEM Academy will:

·         Instruct through rigorous and relevant curriculum

·         Empower students to become innovators and problem solvers

·         Ensure that all students have access to the appropriate technology conducive to enhancing their STEM educational experiences

·         Nurture partnerships that allow schools and the business sector to join efforts in improving students’ STEM-career opportunities

·         Increase the number of students pursuing careers in STEM-related fields and/or post-secondary STEM related education/training

 

The Lassiter STEM Academy is designed for students who have a desire and passion to pursue one of two STEM pathways: Engineering or Biomedical Science. Senior STEM students will take part in a cumulative research from their perspective pathway. Additionally, students will be required to complete extracurricular requirements including STEM related competitions.

 

Students are admitted into the specific STEM Academy major only in their freshman year. Acceptance of admission into Lassiter’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Academy is based on an application reviewing their academic performance and extracurricular participation in STEM related activities as well as an interview conducted with a member of the STEM Academy committee.

Acceptance implies that a student will remain an Academy student throughout their high school career in order to earn STEM designation.

 

Extracurricular Requirements:

 

Students in the STEM Academy will be willing to pursue STEM interest through their participation in extracurricular activities. Individual academic competitions will be embedded in the STEM course work. During their enrollment in the STEM Academy, student will be expected to participate in at least one team competition activity such as Debate Team, Robotics Team, Math Team, Odyssey of the Mind, Science Olympiad, Science Bowl or Academic Bowl.

Project Lead the Way: Biomedical Sciences Pathway

The rigorous and relevant four-course Project Lead the Way (PLTW) Biomedical Science sequence allows students to investigate the roles of biomedical professionals as they study the concepts of human medicine, physiology, genetics, microbiology, and public health. Students engage in activities like investigating the death of a fictional person to learn content in the context of real-world cases. They examine the structures and interactions of human body systems and explore the prevention, diagnoses, and treatment of disease; all while working collaboratively to understand and design solutions to the most pressing health challenges of today and the future.

 

Each course in the Biomedical Science sequence builds on the skills and knowledge students gain in the preceding courses. The STEM Academy offers the three PLTW Biomedical Science foundation courses within a period of three academic years from the start of implementation and will offer the PLTW capstone course. Students who wish to apply to the Biomedical Science Pathway must meet the following requirements:

 

·         Recommended for Honors or Accelerated Math and Honors Biology.

·         Complete four years of PLTW Biomedical Science courses including the capstone course.

The following information outlines the projected courses students in the Biomedical Science pathway will complete upon graduation. Please note that some courses are mandatory.

 

9th Grade:

§  Principles of Biomedical Science (Mandatory)

§  STEM 9th Grade Honors Literature (Mandatory)

§  STEM Honors Biology (Mandatory)

§  1 Honors or Accelerated Math Credit (Honors Geometry OR Acc. Math I OR Acc. Math II)

§  1 Foreign Language Credit

§  1 Elective

 

10th Grade:

§  Human Body Systems (Mandatory)

§   STEM 10th Grade Honors Literature (Mandatory)

§  STEM Honors Chemistry (Mandatory)

§  1 Honors or Accelerated Math Credit (Honors Algebra II OR Acc. Math II OR Accelerated PreCalculus)

§  1 World History Credit

§  1 Foreign Language Credit

 

11th Grade:

§  Medical Interventions (Mandatory)

§  STEM AP Physics 1 (Mandatory)

§  Accelerated Pre-Calculus or AP Calculus (Mandatory)

§  STEM 11th Grade Literature (Mandatory)

§  1 US History Credit

§  1 Elective

12th Grade:

§  Biomedical Innovations - Capstone (Mandatory)

§  AP Calculus OR Higher (Mandatory)

§  1 Advanced Composition Credit

§  1 Government and Economics Credit (½ credit each)

§  1 Health and Personal Fitness Credit (½ credit each)

§  1 Elective