STEM Academy Opens at FCHS
By: Jacqueline Thompson Graves
Do you learn more about science by reading about it or actually doing science? That seems to be the idea behind the new STEM Academy launched for the 2011-2012 school year by Forsyth County Schools.
STEM, an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, is a program aimed at helping students interested in careers in these fields prepare to compete. U.S. Labor Department statistics show fifteen out of the top twenty fastest growing occupations in the next three years significantly require math or science skills at a time when U.S. students lag in these areas. Forsyth County Schools is stepping up to the plate to offer a program for students to gain knowledge, experience, confidence and even apprenticeships through their new curriculum.
STEM is housed on the Forsyth Central High School campus, and is a county wide program. Renovations were made this summer at Central and include high top stations plus sinks, gas and power in the labs. Engineering students will enjoy a new robotics room and materials processing shop for hands-on discovery and learning.
The inter-disciplinary, project-based learning style program includes events such as a science fair, Olympiad, robotics and rocketry. Partnerships with members of the Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce and local businesses will offer apprenticeships, and area universities and colleges support the program through concurrent enrollment.
Einstein said, "The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing."
To learn more about the STEM program, go to http://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/stem
To learn more about science, technology, engineering or math, just do it!
© 2011 Jacqueline Thompson Graves
Contact Jacqueline online at greatoutdoors@upincumming.com.
