San Marin High School
STEM Program
Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics
4/13/2015
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
4/13/2015
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
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
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
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 solvingtransferrable skills
 STEM seeks to engage students in school by use
student centered strategies
Vision
The San Marin High School’s 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.
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
Core Beliefs
 We believe that students should develop
 Learning and Innovation skills
 Digital Literacy skills
 Career and Life skills
Partial Block Schedule starting spring 2015
Day of
Week
Periods
Block
Starting
Time
Monday
All
No
7:26
Tuesday
1, 3, 4, 7
Block
7:15
Wednesday
2, 4, 6
Block
9:00
Thursday
All
No
7:26
Friday
All
No
7:26
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
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
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
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
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
What is Project-Based?
 Entry Event
 Driving or Essential Question
 Need to know list
 In Depth Inquiry
 Revision and Reflection
 Public Audience
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
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
Rube Goldberg Fly Swatter
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
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
4/13/2015
4/13/2015
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.
4/13/2015
Complex thinking in mathematics
Structuring the Standards for Mathematical Practice
Overarching habits of mind of a productive mathematical thinker
1. Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.
2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
4. Model with mathematics.
5. Use appropriate tools strategically.
6. Attend to precision.
7. Look for and make use of structure.
8. Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.
4/13/2015
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

4/13/2015
Mathematics in STEM
 Fostering mathematical reasoning and sense-making
 Investigating the “Big Ideas”
 Persistence through a Growth Mindset
4/13/2015
Math in STEM (Common Core)
4/13/2015
Math in STEM (Common Core)
4/13/2015
Collaboration and Exploring Ideas
4/13/2015
Use of Technology
 Computers
 Specialized Science/Engineering Equipment
 Calculators
 Shop Equipment
 Mobile devices
 Bring your own device (laptop, iPad, iPod,
Chromebook, etc.)
 Other
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
Empowering Students
 Take responsibility for own learning
 Be a responsible member of the SMHS/STEM
communities
 High expectations
 Choice in decision-making
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
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)
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
4/13/2015
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 (415) 898-2121
Applicants will be notified by March 2nd , 2015
STEM Admission Process
 January Activities
 Submit applications
 February Activities
 Interviews
 Student Selection
 Spring Activities
 Updates
 Welcome meetings
Questions and Answers