STEM EDUCATION PROGRAMS

 

Early Childhood Program (2-5 years old)

The Early Childhood STEM program will begin in pre-school by allowing students to engage in the rigor of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics content while being engaged in learning activities that investigate the natural world. Students explore technology and engineering solutions that appropriately apply the concepts of mathematics in order to understand and address real life issues and solve problems and/or challenges. There are no greater natural scientists and engineers then young children. Our program allows these inquisitive learners to learn STEM concepts through play. High quality early learning environments provide children with the structure in which to build upon their natural inclination to explore, to build, and to question. 

 

**Click here for more details on the Early Childhood Program

 

Elementary Program (1st – 5th Grade)

Students will be exposed to hands on activities that will bring the principles of engineering alive while learning the engineering design process. The engineering design process is a series of steps that engineers use to solve problems. What makes these activities different is that they will provide no "recipe" and no drawings for building the items. The emphasis is on the students understanding that engineers must "imagine and plan" before they begin to build and experiment. Therefore, students must formulate their ideas and draw up their plans before constructing their project.  The goal will be to teach our Scholars to Ask, Imagine, Plan, Create, Experiment, and Improve.

All lessons and activities are aligned to the Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards. 

 

** Click here for more details on the Elementary Progrqam

 

DEILAB LEGO® Engineering Program (1st – 5th Grade)

Design Engineering Innovation Lab (DEILAB), pronounced day-lab was founded on the belief that art, design, science and technology, will trigger a culture of innovation critical to our ability to compete on a world stage. Our approach is informed by the belief that learning should be fun and the knowledge that play has a direct correlation to idea creation and problem solving.

DEILAB unlocks the power of innovation through LEGO™ based design, engineering projects and challenges. DEILAB focuses on idea generation (ideation) and iteration (prototyping), as tools for innovation using hands on LEGO™ projects as an activating agent in the chain of events. Our labs are built around the application of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math. These soft skills are convergent and complementary where art and engineering blend successfully to leverage the capacity of human intelligence, adaptability, and innovation. The coursework is based on mechanical, artistic, architectural design and engineering projects. The laboratory environment is structured to enhance curiosity and ignite ingenuity. DEILAB’s unique culture empowers participants to pursue the art of making practical the application of innovation and ideation in the construction of machines, towers, race cars, bridges, city designs, and more. 

 

** Click here for more details on the DEILAB's Program

 

Robotics Academy Program (5th – 8th Grade)

The Robotic Academy is a comprehensive robotics program designed to inspire students to develop an early interest in robotics engineering and technology whiles developing skills that will lead to advanced robotics competition.  The RA will focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics concepts taught through problem-solving, discovery, exploratory learning and critical thinking. Students will be active participants through hands-on learning opportunities that encourage scientific inquiry, investigation and experimentation. Inquiry-based lessons challenge students as they build, investigate, problem solve, discuss, and evaluate scientific and design principles in action.

 

** Click here for more details on the Robotics Academy Program

 

Engineering Design Challenge Program (3rd – 8th Grade)

The Engineering Design Challenge Program engages students in the design process to solve a relevant, real-world problem. Students will reinforce their science, mathematics, social studies, and language arts content knowledge, through an open-ended design process that results in an original, team-driven solution. Teams take responsibility for assessing their own progress and incorporate peer feedback as they conceptualize and redesign their projects. Design challenge learning provides the space to collaborate and innovate while unique solutions to real-world science and engineering challenges are being developed. 

 

Cyber STEM Program (K – 5th Grade)

Our Cyber STEM Academy (CSA) is fusing the high-energy video game culture with leading Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education to produce creative tools for the ultimate learning experience. Leveraging its strong foundation in game development, they are moving the technology beyond the entertainment spectrum to the needs of the education community. The team is uniquely balanced, with senior members of Maryland’s well-respected Hunt Valley gaming community coming together with the state’s top educators to create an unmatched commitment for using high-tech tools to propel curriculum. The focus is on learning while applying the proper use of technology for the total experience both teachers and students have come to enjoy.

CSA is a virtual network of 3D schools.  It is a multi-user platform designed to manage and deliver learning activities as well as student achievements. 

CSA is a web-based program designed to meet the Next Generation Science Standards and has various activities in:

•     Scientific / engineering process

•     Heat transfer and measuring

•     Robotics

•     Oceanography

 

Environmental STEM Program (4th – 6th Grade)

Students will develop environmental awareness while learning STEM through Solar activities.  Since energy is a vital part of modern society, Students will discuss the various energy sources such as crude oil, natural gas and solar energy.  In addition, Students will learn that the global demand for energy will increase rapidly due to the continuous growth in global population. Students will reinforce their knowledge on alternative energy concepts while incorporating problem solving, design and modeling of a solar car and a solar house.

 

 

Advanced Program (9th – 12th Grade)

Our advanced STEM program has served thousands of students and community residents with a mix of opportunity, informational, and educational competitions through summer camps, youth summits, STEM competitions, conferences on technology, and facilitates workshops that focus on preparing participants for the STEM competitions, such as:

 

• Biomedical Competition – students complete an exhaustive study on the pharmaceutical medicines best suited for different diseases.

• Computer Building Competition – students learn the fundamentals of constructing a computer and building a network from beginning to end.

• Cyber Patriot Competition – students participate in a cyber-defense competition which tests their ability to defend a simulated corporate network from external hostile attacks.

• Cyber Security Competition – students explore science and technology careers through research and interactive learning.

• Environmental Justice Competition – students research one of the environmental justice agencies to learn about careers and strategies.

• Flight Simulation Competition – students learn the concepts of flight technology and career opportunities in the aerospace industry.

• Lego Competition- students research and resolve a real-world problem based on a challenge theme and build, design, and program a robot using LEGOs.

• MathMovesU Competition – students compete in a jeopardy style game with math related questions on fractions, percentages, subtraction, and algebra.

• Science Bowl Competition – students prepare and participate in a nationwide competition that test knowledge in all areas of science.

• SeaPerch Underwater Robot Competition- students build and program a remotely operated water vehicle (ROV), led by NAVSEA and BAE System mentors.

• Solar System Competition – students complete a research project on a selected NASA mission or planet.

• Submarine Competition - students formulate a plan, design, assemble materials, and construct a submarine.

• Video Jam Competition – students participate in an introductory training for the Kodu video game engine and learn about career paths in the video gaming industry.