Creating and Sustaining a STEM Early College High School Marlborough Public Schools Marlborough, Massachusetts

1. Creating and Sustaining a STEM Early College High SchoolMarlborough Public SchoolsMarlborough, Massachusetts Intel ISEF Educator Academy Pittsburg, Pennsylvania Presented by Bill Rigney May 2012

2. ShopTalk Overview • Marlborough Public Schools (MPS) Information • Planning • Students • Curriculum and Instructional Strategies • 1:1 Laptop Computing • Professional Development (PD) • Partnering Opportunities • Next Steps

3. Marlborough Public Schools • Approximately 4,500 students in the district • Pre-K program • 3 Elementary Schools, Grades K-4 • 1 Middle School, Grades 5-8 • 1 High School, Grades 9-12

4. Where Did This Begin? With the End in Mind…The Graduate!! • College and Career Ready • STEM Ready • 21st Century Skills • Technology Literacy • Organizational Skills • Presentation Skills • Leadership Skills • Self-Motivated

5. A STEM Mission for the 21st Century The mission of the Marlborough Public Schools STEM Early College High School (ECHS) is to prepare students to be globally aware citizens in a technology-dependent society, and to equip them with 21st century habits of mind for college and career readiness.

6. A STEM Mission for the21st Century • Standards based content delivered through rigorous and relevant theme-based cross-curricular units • Pathway immerses students in a culture of inquiry, project and problem-based learning, and authentic assessments • Promotion of innovation in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and an interest in STEM careers • Embedded critical thinking and problem solving, communication, creativity and innovation, collaboration, and information literacy skills

7. Planning • The goal - Create a 6-12 Grade STEM ECHS • Begin with a 6th grade cohort of students and a 9th grade cohort of students • Modify the 6th and 9th grade curriculum to ensure the success of our students • Guarantee we have students prepared to enroll in colleges course by the 11th grade • Clearly articulate to the parents and community our intent for the program • Workforce demands • Various pathways for students

8. The Hook

9. Our Students

10. Student Driven Right Down to the Label

11. The Selection Process • Full acceptance of all applicants for the 2011-12 school year • Started the year with 194 • Currently 113 sixth graders and 69 ninth graders • Preference to first-generation college-bound students • 6th and 9th grade cohorts closely mirror the diversity of our school communities

12. The Selection Process continued • 2012-2013 School Year • 6th grade has 170 applicants for 133 seats • 9th grade currently has 70 applicants • We continue to reflect the diversity of our community • We have been able to bring students that have left the district back!

13. Current Demographicsin our STEM ECHS *percentages as of 9/2011

14. Our Curriculum and Instruction

15. Student Contribution

16. Where are we? Where do we want to be? How do we get there?

17. Curriculum Core = Engineering Real world application of algebra and geometry World Languages Momentum, Collision, Speed, Buoyancy Reading and writing on the topic Music, Visual Arts Explore solutions to prevent sinking and/or save more people Background on the time, building, voyage, aftermath, culture

18. Curricula Examples • Engineering Classroom Design • Develop the best drafting table arrangement • Innovation in Transportation Safety • Select a mode of transportation and enhance or develop safety mechanisms • Around the World – Global Perspectives • Determine how natural, man-made and human resources around the world reflect the diverse culture of global regions?

19. We are Changing the Game! • Teachers collaborate to discuss • Unique interdisciplinary opportunities • Student personalization • Student support • Instructional best practices • The true integration of 21st Century Skills • Achievement data • Curriculum development • STEM program enhancements This is a Professional Learning Community!

20. Data Tells the Story! Final Student Grade: 78

21. Data tells the Story!2012 Science & Engineering Fair • Indicators of Success • STEM Students • 34 of 69 students participated in the fair – 49.3% • Non-STEM Students • 17 of 241 students participated in the fair – 7.1% There will be a Middle School STEM Science and Engineering Fair in 2013

22. Our Approachto Technology“1 to 1 Computing”

23. Connecting with the Marlborough Community • Student/Parent Forums • STEM ECHS Website • http://www.marlborough.schoolfusion.us/ • Translation of Essential Documents • Student Application • FAQ • Letters to Parents • Community Flyers • Student Advocates • Form a STEM Booster Club

24. Professional Development (PD) • District Embedded PD • Through involvement with the Massachusetts State Science & Engineering Fair & the Massachusetts Math & Science Initiative, we have taken advantage of: • Teaching Science through the Inquiry Process (TSIP) • Project-based Classroom, Science (PCS) • Laying the Foundation

25. Partnering Opportunities • Framingham State University • Course Offerings • MetroWest Regional STEM Network • School, University, and Business • STEM Business Partners • Intel Massachusetts • Parametric Technology Corporation, PTC • City of Marlborough • Raytheon • Dow Chemical • Sunovion

26. Next Steps • Increase PD to staff • Peer Mentoring Program • Innovation Schools Grant • Clearly Established Pathways for Students • Initial Phase of Longitudinal Research Study with Framingham State University • Sustainability • Budget • Staffing • Student Interest • Connection to Believe 2016

27. I would like to thank the talented and dedicated teachers and administrators of the Marlborough Public Schools STEM Early College High School! Please visit our website http://www.marlborough.schoolfusion.us Click on the STEM ECHS tab on the left