Hazelwood School District will once again welcome the community to learn about science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education in the District.
The HSD STEM Extravaganza is October 13 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Hazelwood Central High School. It features demonstrations, hands-on activities and exhibits that focus on the STEM disciplines from early childhood through 12th grade.
It includes representatives from colleges, universities, businesses, community organizations and more.
Find out what's happening in Hazelwoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
HSD students experience science, technology, engineering and math across all grade levels. From curriculum lessons to programs such as Project Lead The Way, Gateway to Technology, FIRST Robotics and FIRST Lego League, and to career and technical education programs such as health occupations and culinary arts, students are exposed to many opportunities. The District has focused on STEM since 2002.
The goal of the STEM program is to build capacity by strengthening administrators and teachers to increase STEM knowledge so more students in the District will focus on learning the STEM disciplines, create lifelong learning experiences, and as a result, students choose a STEM career.
Find out what's happening in Hazelwoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Gail Stewart, HSD learning facilitator for special areas, said that “STEM education helps ensure that students are getting a rigorous educational foundation that will help them become productive citizens.”
The potential impact of STEM education is vast.
“A solid STEM education will help students prepare for a satisfying career that will have many employment opportunities and a high-paying salary,” she said.
Stewart noted new changes in STEM and career education curriculum for 2012-2013.
“The Project Lead The Way programs in engineering and biomedical sciences continues to provide a high-quality, rigorous curriculum for students to prepare for careers,” said Stewart.
“The senior capstone course in the biomedical sciences pathway, Biomedical Innovations, is being offered for the first time this year. It is a research-based course that allows students the opportunity to apply everything they have learned over the past three years,” she said.
In career education, students who have an interest in the hospitality industry will have an opportunity to complete a two-year program in culinary arts. The curriculum is developed by the National Restaurant Association.
For students interested in becoming educators, HSD now offers a two-year program called Career Pathways for the Teaching Profession. Students will complete a teaching practicum during their senior year.
“All of these programs allow our students to explore careers they have an interest in, and provide a solid foundation for post-secondary preparation,” said Stewart.
To meet the goals of science, technology, engineering and math education, the District works in partnership with businesses and colleges such as Boeing, Ameren Missouri, Covidien, St. Louis Community College, Washington University in St. Louis, University of Missouri-St. Louis, Fontbonne University and Missouri University of Science and Technology. STEM education reflects the District’s values of forming partnerships with parents and community members to ensure the success of each student; a commitment to implementing innovative solutions; and creating an inclusive learning climate that meets the needs of a diverse community.