Alliance Sows Seeds for STEM Success

Lawrence Technological University President Virinder Moudgil, left, and Brother Rice High School President John Birney signed a memorandum of understanding to create a new STEM academy for Brother Rice students. (Photo submitted)

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A new academic partnership is expected to bolster the science, technology, engineering and math curriculum at Brother Rice High School and provide Lawrence Technological University a crop of students positioned to succeed in bachelor’s and advanced degree programs.

Students in Brother Rice’s newly formed S²TEM Academy will have the opportunity to take courses taught by Lawrence Tech instructors and receive dual enrollment credits for select college-level courses. They’ll also be able to participate in the university’s internationally acclaimed engineering competition teams, and have access to the its campus facilities for robotics, architecture and other STEM-related disciplines.

Lawrence Tech students will provide mentoring support to the Brother Rice students, fulfilling their educational service requirements.

A memorandum of understanding to create the S²TEM Academy was signed Monday by John Birney, president of the Bloomfield Hills-based Catholic prep school, and Virinder Moudgil, president of Lawrence Technological University, a private college based in Southfield. The academy will officially open in the fall of 2016.

“Similar to a college within a university, our S²TEM Academy will offer students the opportunity to prepare for college and professional careers requiring STEM skills within a curriculum and culture enhanced by the Brother Rice mission to develop more complete men of spiritual faith, character and integrity,” Birney said in a statement.

“We believe the ability to take college level courses taught by Lawrence Technological University instructors will not only enhance our students’ learning experience but also provide a more seamless transition to the rigors of higher education.” he said.

Moudgil said Lawrence Tech welcomes the opportunity to develop relationships with motivated college prep students who will be well prepared to succeed higher education and in STEM related careers.

“It is vitally important to the economic growth of our nation to increase the number of college graduates with degrees in the STEM areas,” Moudgil said. “These will be the leaders and innovators of the future who will create jobs and strengthen our competitiveness.”

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Moudgil said a strong foundation in high school better prepares students for success in college and motivates them to pursue advanced degrees.

Founded in 1932, Lawrence Tech offers more than 100 programs through the doctoral level and is ranked fifth nationwide by the Brookings Institute for boosting graduates’ earning power. PayScale lists the school in the nation’s top 10 percent of universities for graduates’ salaries, and U.S. News & World Report places it in the top tier of best Midwestern universities.

Brother Rice offers a rigorous college prep curriculum, while fulfilling a mission to develop the soul, mind and body of its students.