GSST Mission
 Challenge students to acquire knowledge, develop understanding and
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think reflectively.
Take intellectual and creative risks in problem solving.
Provide a cohesive sequence of courses in science, technology,
engineering, mathematics and research.
Provide opportunities for social peer interaction, as well as career and
college guidance.
Providing leadership education and opportunities i.e. math, science and
research competitions.
Prepare students for acceptance into top universities.
Shorten time to undergraduate degree completion.
Prepare students for successful, fulfilling STEM careers
GSST Research & Mentorship
 Ongoing research is a cornerstone of the GSST learning community.
 GSST’s primary goal is to lead students to develop skills required for
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completion of advanced research i.e. professional literacy, technical writing.
GSST students are introduced to the process of science, research
methodology, ethical considerations, need for objectivity and peer
review, as well as skills in communicating scientific findings.
GSST students select, design, and conduct a year long research
project under the direction of a mentor.
GSST students present their work orally and visually at science
consortia and create formal written research documents.
GSST students are highly competitive at Regional, State, and
International levels of science and engineering fairs.
GSST Alumni Survey 2013
• Gifted high school program
• Opportunities for college-level STEM
• Emphasis on research (STEM+R)
Purpose of Survey:
To determine if GSST had an impact on
student’s participation in STEM fields in
college and careers.
GSST Alumni Survey 2013
Survey deployed via facebook September 2013.
We are interested to determine if attending GSST has an impact on
student participation in science, technology, engineering and
mathematics (STEM) fields in college and careers.
Total program graduates – 330
Respondents – 137
Class
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
%
2.1
11.7
14.6
19.0
18.3
32.8
Number
(3)
(16)
(20)
(26)
(25)
(40)
Participation – 41.5%
School Division
Number %
Gloucester County Schools
( 8)
5.8
Hampton City Schools
(15)
11.0
Newport News City Schools
(12)
8.8
Poquoson City Schools
( 7)
5.1
York County Schools
(51)
37.2
Williamsburg/James City County Schools (20)
14.6
Isle of Wight County Schools
(24)
17.5
GSST 5 Year Avg. Enrollment by Division
GSST Alumni Survey 2013
Why did you elect to attend GSST?
N=137
%
 Long-term interest in science, mathematics, engineering
or technology and anticipated STEM career
Number
94.9 (130)
 Not really interested in STEM but hoped to improve my GPA
2.2
(3)
 Parents made the choice
2.9
(4)
Because of my participation in the GSST Program ….
I was better prepared for college math, science, computer science, and
engineering classes than I would have been with home school classes.
80
Overall Response
N= 137 respondents
Percent of Respondants
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1
Strongly
Agree
93.4 %
2
Agree
3
Neither
5
Strongly Disagree
Because of my participation in the GSST Program ….
I was better prepared for college math, science, computer science, and
engineering classes than other students in my college classes.
Percent of respondants
40
Overall Response
N= 137 respondents
30
20
10
0
Strong-agree
Agree
82.3 %
Neither
Disagree
Strong-disagree
Overall, attending GSST was a good decision and has long-lasting positive
impacts on my college success and career path.
80
Overall Response
N= 137 respondents
Percent of respndants
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
StrongAgree
Percent within all data.
86.8 %
Agree
Niether
Disagree
StrongDisagree
When asked by other students, friends,
parents or siblings about attending GSST, I
was a valuable experience.
80
70
Overall Response
N= 137 respondents
Percent
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1. encourage application and
attendance because I am very
pleased that I attended GSST. It
1
2
Response
97.1 %
3
2. encourage attendance but warn
that the work will be much more
and harder than staying at home
school.
3. discourage attendance.
During college did you participate in any of the following STEM-related
activities? (check all that apply)
N = 137
STEM-Related activity
Internship
Research
Field work
Undergraduate thesis
Number of
responses
52
59
17
15
Participated
%
55.5
Number
76
Did not participate
44.5
61
Summary
GSST Program alumni:
 Feel very well prepared for the challenges of STEM courses in
college, including the nation’s best
 Report that their choice to attend GSST has long-term benefits
 Would recommend the GSST Program to others
 Continue in STEM
• College Major in STEM fields - 125 of 137 (91.2%)
• Work in STEM fields - 10 of 25 (40.0%)
• Seek advanced study in STEM fields - 11 of 25 (44.0%)
84.0%