San Marin High School

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• San Marin High School
• STEM Program
• Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics

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Introductions

• School Staff
• 2014-15 Teaching Assignments
• Mr. Nick Williams- 9th Physics/Engineering,
  Teacher Lead
• Ms. Melissa Havel- 9th Physics/Engineering
• Dr. Michelle Lafevre-Bernt- 10th
  Biology/Biotechnology
• Ms. Kim Laabs- STEM Algebra 2
• Mr. David Wronski- STEM Geometry
• Administrators
• Mr. Adam Littlefield, Principal
• Ms. Leslie Norinsky, Assistant Principal, STEM
  Administrator

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Why San Marin High School?

• Focus on the whole student
• Opportunity to excel in all areas
• AP and honors courses - academics
• smARTt Arts and Technical Arts
• Athletics
• Clubs and activities
• Community service

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Why San Marin STEM?

• First and only STEM-focused high school program
  in Marin County
• Rigorous science, engineering, and math
  curriculum
• Small community atmosphere
• Critical and Creative Thinking, Collaboration,
  and Communication
• Project-based learning

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Successful San Marin STEM Students

• Love math, science, and technology
• Expect to go to a four year college
• Value learning and have high expectations for
  their academic progress and behavior
• Know how to work on projects with other people
• Do their personal best on all assignments
• Want to attend a program within high school
• Participate in clubs and activities

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Why STEM?

• The current demand for STEM-capable US workers
  surpasses the supply of applicants who have
  trained for those careers.
• 16 of the 20 occupations with the largest
  projected growth in the next decade are STEM
  related.
• STEM teaches critical thinking and problem
  solving- transferrable skills
• STEM seeks to engage students in school by use
  student centered strategies

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Vision

• The San Marin High Schools Science, Technology,
  Engineering, and Math (STEM) Program seeks to
  excite, engage, and educate students in a
  project-based environment. Using state-of-the-art
  technology tools, 21st Century skills, and
  rigorous cutting-edge curriculum, graduates will
  be prepared for future STEM-related careers and
  non-STEM related careers.

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About Our Program

• College Preparatory
• The Six Tenets
• Project-Based Learning
• Integrated Curriculum
• Using Technology
• Small Program Environment
• Empowering Students to manage their learning
• Work-based learning opportunities

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Core Beliefs

• We believe that students should develop
• Learning and Innovation skills
• Digital Literacy skills
• Career and Life skills

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Partial Block Schedule starting spring 2015
Day of Week Periods Block Starting Time
Monday All No 726
Tuesday 1, 3, 4, 7 Block 715
Wednesday 2, 4, 6 Block 900
Thursday All No 726
Friday All No 726
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Typical Coursework 9th grade

• 9th Grade
• STEM CORE
• Physics
• Principles of Engineering
• Mathematics Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2
• REQUIRED OF ALL 9th GRADERS
• English 9
• Geography/Health
• Physical Education
• OTHER ELECTIVES
• Music, Drama, Dance, Art, Spanish, French,
  Leadership, other

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Typical Coursework 10th grade

• 10th Grade
• STEM CORE
• Biology/Biotechnology
• Mathematics Geometry, Algebra 2, Precalculus,
  Statistics
• REQUIRED OF ALL 10th GRADERS
• English 10
• World History/ AP European History
• Physical Education or waiver (must meet specific
  requirements)
• OTHER ELECTIVES
• Many available, including Spanish, French, Arts,
  Cisco Academy and College Coursework

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Typical Coursework - 11th grade

• 11th Grade
• STEM CORE
• Chemistry
• Science Class of Choice Biotech 2, AP Biology,
  AP Physics, Marine Biology
• Mathematics Algebra 2, Precalculus, Statistics.
  AP Calculus, AP Statistics
• REQUIRED OF ALL 11th GRADERS
• English 11, AP Language and Composition
• US History/ AP US History
• OTHER ELECTIVES
• Many available, including World Languages, Arts,
  Cisco Academy and College Coursework

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Typical Coursework- 12th Grade

• 12th Grade
• STEM CORE
• AP Biology, AP Physics, AP Chemistry, or Marine
  Biology
• Engineering/Senior Project
• Mathematics Precalculus, Statistics. AP
  Calculus, AP Statistics
• REQUIRED OF ALL 12th GRADERS
• ERWC, AP Literature and Composition
• Government and Economics/AP Govt and AP Econ
• OTHER ELECTIVES
• Many available, including Cisco Academy and
  College Coursework

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UC-Approved Curriculum

• 8 Science courses
• Including Engineering courses
• Physical science or biological science emphasis
• Including AP courses
• 4 Math courses
• Culminating with AP Calculus
• Technology-rich coursework
• Project-Based Learning/Inquiry-Based Learning
• Student-Centered

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What is Project-Based?

• Entry Event
• Driving or Essential Question
• Need to know list
• In Depth Inquiry
• Revision and Reflection
• Public Audience

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Why Project-Based Learning?

• Engaging
• Provokes students to encounter (and struggle
  with) the central concepts and principles of a
  discipline.
• Teaches
• communication and presentation
• organization and time management
• research and inquiry
• self-assessment and reflection
• group participation and leadership

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Project-Based Learning

• 9th Grade Science/Engineering Typical Projects
• Rube Goldberg
• Physics of Sports Video
• Hybrid Car Design
• Passive Solar Home Design
• Build a band (of musical instruments)
• Robotics and programming

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Rube Goldberg Fly Swatter
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Rube Goldberg Project in Science/Engineering Class

• 6 week project- Simple Machines
• Integration of Science and Engineering
• Classroom instruction
• Project Time
• Culminating Activity
• What students learn

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Sophomore Year 2014-15 Biology/Biotechnology

• Examples of 6 week projects
• Human Organ Systems Integration of Biology and
  Engineering
• Crime Scene Investigation Integration of
  Genetics, Biotechnology and Forensic Science

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Common Core Standards in Math

• The standards call for learning mathematical
  content in the context of real-world situations,
  using mathematics to solve problems, and
  developing habits of mind that foster mastery
  of mathematics content as well as mathematical
  understanding.

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Complex thinking in mathematics

• Structuring the Standards for Mathematical
  Practice
• Overarching habits of mind of a productive
  mathematical thinker
• Make sense of problems and persevere in solving
  them.
• Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
• Construct viable arguments and critique the
  reasoning of others.
• Model with mathematics.
• Use appropriate tools strategically.
• Attend to precision.
• Look for and make use of structure.
• Look for and express regularity in repeated
  reasoning.

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Mathematics in STEM

• Students required to earn a B or better in
• CCSS 8th grade math
• CCSS Compacted 8th grade math
• Algebra 1
• Geometry
• Students in STEM cohorts or clustered into
  courses together.
• Other assessment during interview process

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Mathematics in STEM

• Fostering mathematical reasoning and sense-making
• Investigating the Big Ideas
• Persistence through a Growth Mindset

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Math in STEM (Common Core)
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Math in STEM (Common Core)
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Collaboration and Exploring Ideas
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Use of Technology

• Computers
• Specialized Science/Engineering Equipment
• Calculators
• Shop Equipment
• Mobile devices
• Bring your own device (laptop, iPad, iPod,
  Chromebook, etc.)
• Other

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Personalized Environment

• Cohort of students/ Community of Learners
• Dedicated Math/Science Teachers
• Students get to know each other and their
  teachers really well
• Teachers work together to develop extraordinary
  curriculum

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Empowering Students

• Take responsibility for own learning
• Be a responsible member of the SMHS/STEM
  communities
• High expectations
• Choice in decision-making

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Clubs and Activities

• Student Leadership
• Robotics
• Computer Programming/App Development
• Technology Student Organization
• Gardening Club
• Science Olympiad
• Service Learning and Community Service
• Plus other San Marin clubs and activities

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Criteria

• Complete Application and Submit by Jan. 30th
• Completed Application Pages with student
  responses
• Grade of B or better in CCSS Grade 8 Math (or
  higher math)
• Counselor Report
• Math or Science Teacher Recommendation
• Other Adult Recommendation
• Group interview/Design Challenge
• Evidence from previous school work (grades,
  assessments, attendance, discipline)

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Selection Rubric
Criteria Points
Interview and Performance Task 20
Student Responses on Application 18
Math Grades 8
Science Grades 8
Past Attendance 6
Letters of Recommendation 20
Student Behavior 10
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Next Steps

• Applications now available on San Marin webpage
• Completed application due by Jan. 30, 2015
• For more information
• See San Marin Website
• San Marin High School [phone]
• Applicants will be notified by March 2nd , 2015

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STEM Admission Process

• January Activities
• Submit applications
• February Activities
• Interviews
• Student Selection
• Spring Activities
• Updates
• Welcome meetings

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Questions and Answers