“If we’re going to out-innovate and out-educate the rest of the world, we’ve got to open doors for everyone. We need all hands on deck, and that means clearing hurdles for women and girls as they navigate careers in science, technology, engineering, and math.
-- First Lady Michelle Obama, September 26, 2011
Villa Maria Academy has a rich history of developing leadership principles in the girls we serve. Today, one example of this leadership is found in the strong STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) curriculum evident throughout our school, and focused in our Middle School STEM classes. This year marks the second year that the Eighth Grade girls will work together under the direction of Mrs. Dow and Mrs. Cassidy on SeaPerch, an underwater robotics program.
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“The SeaPerch Program provides students with the opportunity to learn about robotics, engineering, science, and mathematics (STEM) while building an underwater ROV as part of a science and engineering technology curriculum. Throughout the project, students will learn engineering concepts, problem solving, teamwork, and technical applications.” (SeaPerch, 2013. http://www.seaperch.org)
Pictured are the Eighth Grade girls beginning step one - building the structure of their underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). Their next step will be to construct motors and solder control boxes after which they will test their ROV for buoyancy, ballast and acceleration in the pool. This project will culminate in January with the girls entering their ROV’s into competition against each other. Eighth Grade parents will be invited to this exciting finale!
