Creating and Sustaining a STEM Early College High

School

Marlborough Public SchoolsMarlborough, Massachusetts

INTEL ISEF EDUCATOR ACADEMY

PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA

Presented by Bill Rigney

May 2012

Marlborough Public Schools (MPS) Information

Planning Students Curriculum and Instructional Strategies 1:1 Laptop Computing Professional Development (PD) Partnering Opportunities Next Steps

ShopTalk Overview

Marlborough Public Schools

Approximately 4,500 students in the district

Pre-K program 3 Elementary Schools, Grades K-4 1 Middle School, Grades 5-8 1 High School, Grades 9-12

With the End in Mind…The Graduate!!

College and Career Ready STEM Ready 21st Century Skills Technology Literacy Organizational Skills Presentation Skills Leadership Skills Self-Motivated

Where Did This Begin?

The mission of the Marlborough Public Schools STEM Early College High School (ECHS) is to prepare students to be globally aware citizens in a technology-dependent society, and to equip them with 21st century habits of mind for college and career readiness.

A STEM Mission for the 21st Century

Standards based content delivered through rigorous and relevant theme-based cross-curricular units

Pathway immerses students in a culture of inquiry, project and problem-based learning, and authentic assessments

Promotion of innovation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and an interest in STEM careers

Embedded critical thinking and problem solving, communication, creativity and innovation, collaboration, and information literacy skills

A STEM Mission for the21st Century

Planning The goal - Create a 6-12 Grade STEM

ECHS ◦Begin with a 6th grade cohort of students and a

9th grade cohort of students◦Modify the 6th and 9th grade curriculum to

ensure the success of our students◦Guarantee we have students prepared to enroll

in colleges course by the 11th grade◦Clearly articulate to the parents and community

our intent for the program Workforce demands Various pathways for students

The Hook

Our Students

Student Driven Right Down to the Label

Full acceptance of all applicants for the 2011-12 school year◦Started the year with 194

Currently 113 sixth graders and 69 ninth graders

Preference to first-generation college-bound students

6th and 9th grade cohorts closely mirror the diversity of our school communities

The Selection Process

2012-2013 School Year◦6th grade has 170 applicants for 133 seats◦9th grade currently has 70 applicants

We continue to reflect the diversity of our community

We have been able to bring students that have left the district back!

The Selection Process

continued

Marlborough

STEM – Grade 6

STEM – Grade 9

White 60% 57% 49%

Latino 31% 18% 27%

Other races 9% 25% 24%

LimitedEnglish Proficient

11% 3% 10%

Special Education

21% 13% 10%

Low Income 40% 30% 45%

First Time College

22% 32%

Current Demographicsin our STEM ECHS

*percentages as of 9/2011

Our Curriculum and Instruction

Student Contribution

Where are we? Where do we want to be? How do we

get there?

Research-BasedProven

Practice

Scope and

Sequence

UbD

Believe

2016 –

Learnin

g Lens

Curriculum Core = Engineering

Engineering

Math

Science

History

ELA

World Languages

Music, Visual Arts

Momentum, Collision,Speed, Buoyancy

Explore solutions to prevent sinking and/or save more people

Real world application of algebra and geometry

Reading and writing on the topic

Background on the time, building, voyage, aftermath, culture

Engineering Classroom Design◦Develop the best drafting table

arrangement Innovation in Transportation Safety

◦Select a mode of transportation and enhance or develop safety mechanisms

Around the World – Global Perspectives◦Determine how natural, man-made and

human resources around the world reflect the diverse culture of global regions?

Curricula Examples

Teachers collaborate to discuss◦Unique interdisciplinary opportunities◦Student personalization◦Student support◦ Instructional best practices◦The true integration of 21st Century Skills◦Achievement data◦Curriculum development◦STEM program enhancements

This is a Professional Learning Community!

We are Changing the Game!

Data Tells the Story!

StudentSmithJanet

Course PR Grade

Identified Learning Needs Interventions Intervention?

Honors Algebra

159

Homework Completion

Project CompletionAssessment Preparation

Weekly Progress Report

Student/Teacher Meeting

Teacher Check In Extra Help Sessions

NoYesYesYes

Final Student Grade: 78

Data tells the Story!2012 Science & Engineering

Fair Indicators of Success STEM Students

◦34 of 69 students participated in the fair – 49.3% Non-STEM Students

◦17 of 241 students participated in the fair – 7.1%

There will be a Middle School STEM Science and Engineering Fair in 2013

Our Approach

to Technology

“1 to 1 Computin

g”

Student/Parent Forums STEM ECHS Website

◦http://www.marlborough.schoolfusion.us/ Translation of Essential Documents

◦Student Application◦FAQ◦Letters to Parents◦Community Flyers

Student Advocates Form a STEM Booster Club

Connecting with the Marlborough Community

District Embedded PD Through involvement with the

Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair & the Massachusetts Math & Science Initiative, we have taken advantage of:◦Teaching Science through the Inquiry

Process (TSIP)◦Project-based Classroom, Science (PCS)◦Laying the Foundation

Professional Development (PD)

Partnering Opportunities Framingham State University

◦Course Offerings MetroWest Regional STEM Network

◦School, University, and Business STEM Business Partners

◦ Intel Massachusetts◦Parametric Technology Corporation, PTC◦City of Marlborough◦Raytheon◦Dow Chemical◦Sunovion

Increase PD to staff Peer Mentoring Program Innovation Schools Grant Clearly Established Pathways for

Students Initial Phase of Longitudinal Research

Study with Framingham State University Sustainability

◦Budget◦Staffing◦Student Interest◦Connection to Believe 2016

Next Steps

I would like to thank the talented and dedicated teachers and administrators of the Marlborough Public Schools STEM Early College High School!

http://www.marlborough.schoolfusion.usClick on the STEM ECHS tab on the left

Please visit our website