Challenge Interview
Everything you need to know for your BMAH, IB MYP/DP, and/or STEM
Magnet Challenge Interview
Dear Magnet Applicant and Family,
These interviews will give us the chance to know more about each applicant and
why each applicant hopes to be a part of one of our programs. We are looking
for students who are excited to learn and who want to succeed in a Magnet
Program.
Please take a few moments to review this guide to learn important information
about how to choose an artifact, what you will be asked, how you will be
scored, and what you can expect at your Challenge Interview session.
If you have any questions, please contact the Magnet Office at 410-222-5435.
We look forward to meeting you at your Challenge Interview!
Sincerely,
The AACPS Magnet Office
Note: Registration for and participation in a Challenge Interview does not
guarantee eligibility for a Magnet program.
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Table of Contents
An Overview of the Day……………………………….….. 4
Interview Questions and Rubric…………………….… 10
Choosing an Artifact………………………………………… 16
Where to go for More Information………………….. 26
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The Challenge Interview
An Overview of the Day
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General Information
 Each applicant will have one interview even if s/he applied for multiple Magnet
Programs. PVA applicants do not need to participate in a Challenge Interview, but
they do have an audition.
 During the interview, students will be using an item, or Artifact, to express their
ideas, passions, and interest in their program(s) of choice (see page 16 for more
information).
 Students should come prepared to talk about why they want to participate in a
Magnet Program
 Interviews will be conducted by teachers and program coordinators from a variety
of AACPS Magnet Programs.
 Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled interview session.
 Students will be escorted to an area to reflect before the interviews. From this
point, students will be on their own. Parents may wait at school or return.
 Please allow up to 2 hours for the student to complete the interview process. In
many cases, the student will have finished long before that time span.
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What to bring to the Challenge Interview
 A pen or pencil, in case you want to write down information.
 Your Artifact. Students who do not have an artifact with them on the day of their
Challenge Interview will be able to choose from a selection of artifacts provided by
the Magnet Office. The purpose of the artifact is to show the connection between
the student and the Magnet Program.
 Your Student ID #/SIF/Lunch Number/PermNum/UserName.
 The Magnet ID(s) you were given when you completed the online application. You
may view your Magnet IDs by logging onto your Application Account using your
Student ID/UserName and Password at: https://magnet.aacps.org.
 Non-AACPS applicants who have not yet submitted their Transcripts, Test Scores,
and/or Proof of Residency (i.e., electrical bill) can scan and upload these
documents on the day of the Challenge Interview.
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Tentative Schedule--what to expect.*
 At check-in, you will be given a folder containing the rubric and interview questions.
Besides bringing the artifact, the questions will ask you to tell why you applied to a
certain program and what your passion is for that program. Students who did not bring
an Artifact to discuss can choose from the selection of items provided by the Magnet
Office, but we prefer that you choose one of your own.
 At this point, students are on their own for the interview. Once a student is checked in,
parents choosing to stay will be directed to a Parent Waiting Area where they can wait
until their child’s interview is complete.
 Students will be directed to the interview at this point. Therefore, preparation before
the interview is necessary.
 Please allow up to 1 hour to complete the Challenge Interview process. We will make
every attempt to complete the process as soon as possible.
*Please be advised that this schedule is subject to change depending on the
available staff and the number of applicants registered for each session.
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The Challenge Interview
 You will be directed to an interview room.
 You will give the rubric, interview questions, and any notes to the interviewer.
 You can hold your chosen artifact during the interview.
 The interview will take approximately 10 minutes . The preparation for the
interview is crucial to success during the interview.
 When the interview is complete, the interviewer will give you an exit ticket
signifying that you have completed your Challenge Interview session. At this
point, you may leave the session.
 Please discuss the interview with your parents or guardians.
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The Academic Interview
The purpose of the Academic Interview is to give Pathway II Applicants an
opportunity to share why they applied for a Magnet Program and to share their
academic struggles and successes. Pathway II is defined in one of the following
ways beginning in Fall, 2015: :
 Students whose cumulative grade average is below a 3.0 and/or below a B in
Math) OR
 Those who are not currently part of AACPS. OR
 Any students we would like to interview so that we may better get to know the
applicants.
Pathway II students must score a 7 or higher on the interview in order to be
considered for the likely lottery.
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The Challenge Interview
Interview Questions and Rubrics
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Preparing for the Challenge Interview (1 of 2)
Think about the following statements to help you think about the Interview. These
may not be the questions we ask that day, but we want to evidence of your passion
about participating in the Magnet Program.
1. I chose this artifact because ___________________________
2. This artifact reflects my interest in BMAH, IB MYP/DP, STEM because
_____________________________________________
3. I really want to participate in this program because
_____________________________________________
4. I learn best by _________________________________
5. My successes and struggles in school include the following: ________
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Preparing for the Challenge Interview (2 of 2)
Rate yourself 1-5, with 5 being highest.
1. I often complete my homework.
2. I agree to continue in the Magnet Program
for all 4 years in HS.
3. I see the connection between this Magnet
and my personal goals.
4. I come to school prepared and work to the
best of my ability.
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Rubric: Challenge Interview
Ideas &
Content
Organization
of Thoughts
Creative/
Critical
Chinking
Motivation/
Personal
Engagement
10 or 9
8 or 7
6 or 5
4 or 3
2 or 1
Ideas and content
are conveyed in a
controlled and
interesting manner
by analyzing
material.
Relevant information
presented about the
topic by providing
facts or correctly
summarizing
material.
Some relevant and
some irrelevant
information
presented about the
topic
Inconsistent
information about
topic presented.
Little to no
information
about topic
presented.
Thoughts are
organized in a clear
and concise
manner, consistent
with the material.
Thoughts are
somewhat organized
and engage the
material in a
simplistic manner.
Thoughts are not
presented in a totally
organized manner;
listener has to infer
train of thought.
Thoughts are
disorganized and
require significant
inference on the
part of the listener
to discern message.
Thoughts are
disconnected
and irrelevant.
Creative or critical
thinking is
evidenced by three
or more supporting
points. Analysis
predominates.
Creative or critical
thinking is evidenced
by two supporting
points. Synthesis
predominates.
Creative or critical
thinking is supported
by one supporting
point; may also
contain some
irrelevant thoughts.
Factual recall
dominates.
Creative or critical
thinking is not
supported;
irrelevant
comments
dominate.
No response or
total lack of
relevant
comments.
Student fully
engages in
interview; shows
extreme
interest/passion for
thinking/learning.
Student frequently
engages in interview;
shows substantial
interest/passion in
thinking/learning.
Student occasionally
engages in interview;
shows moderate
interest/passion in
thinking/learning.
Student shows
limited engagement
in interview; cannot
articulate interest
in program.
Student is
disinterested,
student admits
lack of interest in
program.
Final Score:
Score
Rubric: Scoring the Rubric
 Your interview will be scored using the provided rubrics by the interviewer.
 Your score will not be affected by whether or not you choose to bring an artifact to
your interview, since an artifact can be selected from among the ones provided.
However, we would like you to prepare for the interview ahead of time.
 Your Final Score is the average of all four rubric sections. All Final Scores will be
rounded to a whole number.
 Only round number Final Scores will be accepted.
 Applicants applying for a HS Magnet Program must earn a Final Score of 7 or
higher on the Challenge Interview to be eligible for a High School Magnet Program.
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The Challenge Interview
Choosing an Artifact
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Choosing an Artifact
Two important components of all Magnet Programs are critical thinking and effective
communication. During your interview, we want to give you the opportunity to
show off these skills. You will share an artifact that tells us something about you
and why you will be successful in this program.
You may bring one of the following artifacts with you to discuss during your
Challenge Interview:
• Book
• Poem
• Article
• Letter
• Photograph or painting (copies are acceptable)
• Object or collection of something that you own
• A project, craft, model, or something else that you created
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Choosing an Artifact (continued)
When deciding on an artifact, consider the following :
• What are your interests?
• How does this artifact reflect your interest(s)?
• Why is this artifact important to you?
• What is unique or interesting about the way you see or think about this object?
• How does this item reflect why you would want to be in a Magnet Program?
You are not required to bring your own artifact. If you choose not to bring an artifact
to your Challenge Interview, you will have the opportunity to select from the array of
items provided by the Magnet Office (see page 19-25).
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Provided Artifact Selection
The Magnet Office will have a selection of Artifacts available during each Challenge
Interview session for students who choose, for whatever reason, not to bring an
Artifact with them.
If selecting from the provided artifacts, consider the following questions:
• What are your interests?
• How does this artifact reflect your interest(s)?
• Why is this artifact important to you?
• What is unique or interesting about the way you see or think about this
object?
• How does this item reflect why you would want to be in a Magnet Program?
Pages 20 through 25 show the artifacts that we will have available. Please select an
appropriate artifact.
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Provided Selection of Artifacts: Painting 1
Wyeth, Andrew
Christina’s World
1948
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Provided Selection of Artifacts: Painting 2
Kahlo, Frida
Self-Portrait with the Portrait of Doctor Farill
1951
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Provided Selection of Artifacts: Photograph 1
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Provided Selection of Artifacts: Photograph 2
Italian family looking
for lost baggage.
Ellis Island, NY
1905
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Provided Selection of Artifacts: Poem
I know why the caged bird sings
Maya Angelou, 1969
A free bird leaps on the back
Of the wind and floats downstream
Till the current ends and dips his wing
In the orange suns rays
And dares to claim the sky.
But a BIRD that stalks down his narrow cage
Can seldom see through his bars of rage
His wings are clipped and his feet are tied
So he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings with a fearful trill
Of things unknown but longed for still
And his tune is heard on the distant hill for
The caged bird sings of freedom.
The free bird thinks of another breeze
And the trade winds soft through
The sighing trees
And the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright
Lawn and he names the sky his own.
But a caged BIRD stands on the grave of dreams
His shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
His wings are clipped and his feet are tied
So he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings with
A fearful trill of things unknown
But longed for still and his
Tune is heard on the distant hill
For the caged bird sings of freedom.
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Provided Selection of Artifacts: Statistics
Geography
Geographic
Coordinates
Area
Communication
38 00 N, 97 00 W
Ethnic groups
Language
Religion
Age structure
Male : Female Ratio
Telephones:
mobile cellular: 286 million
Internet users 286 million
313,232,044 people
Transportation
White: 79.96%; Black: 12.85%; Asian 4.43%; Native: 0.97%, Pacific
Islander: 0.18%, two or more races: 1.61%; Hispanic: 15.1% (includes
persons of Spanish/Hispanic/Latino origin living in the country who
may be of any race or ethnic group (white, black, Asian, etc. )
English: 82.1%, Spanish: 10.7%, other Indo-European 3.8%, Asian and
Pacific Island 2.7%, other 0.7%
Airports
286 million
Railways
Protestant 51.3%; Roman Catholic23.9%; Mormon 1.7%, other
Christian 1.6%; Jewish 1.7%; Buddhist 0.7%; Muslim 0.6%; other or
unspecified 2.5%, unaffiliated 12.1%; none 4%
Roadways
0-14 years: 20.1%; 15-65 years: 66.8%; 65 years and over: 13.1%
Waterways
49 male:51 female
Literacy
41, 009 km
Economy
Economy
Male: 15 years; Female: 17 years
224, 792 km
6,506, 204 km
99% of persons 15 years and older
Amount of time spent
in school
141 million
Total: 9,826,675 sq km
People and Society
Population
Land Phone Lines
Labor force by
occupation
This country has the largest and most technologically powerful
economy in the world, with a per capita GDP of $47, 200. In this
market-oriented economy, private individuals and business firms
make most of the decisions, and the federal and state
governments buy needed goods and services predominately in
the private marketplace.
Farming, forestry, and fishing: 0.7%; manufacturing, extraction,
transportation, and crafts: 20.3%; managerial, professional, and
technical: 37.3%; sales and office: 24.2%; other services: 17.6%
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The Challenge Interview
Where to go for More Information
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More Information
Thank you for taking the time to review this Challenge
Interview Guide.
If you have questions about any of the information in this guide,
please call the Magnet Office at one the following numbers:
410-222-5435
We look forward to meeting you during your Challenge Interview!
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