Wake NC State University STEM Early College High School

1. Wake NC State University STEMEarly College High School Solving Grand Challenges Through STEM October 3, 2011 Rob Matheson, Principal Ryan Haymore, Dean of Students

2. Partnerships and Student Academic Goals • STEM ECHS is a collaboration between the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) and NC State University (NC State) as part of the NC Early College High School initiative • Additional partnerships between the WCPSS and the NC JOBS Commission, and NC New Schools Project (NCNSP) • Students attend for five years and graduate with a NC high school diploma (21 credits) and up to two years of course credit from NC State

3. Innovative Education Initiatives Act (IEIA) • Passed by the NC General Assembly in 2003 • Encourage cooperative efforts between secondary schools and institutes of higher education (IHE) to reduce dropout rates, increase graduation rates, decrease need for remediation in IHE, and raise IHE completion rates • Act also created Cooperative Innovative High School Programs, which led to the creation of Early College High Schools (ECHS)

4. Funding • Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Institutes of Higher Education (IHE) and NC school systems • IHE responsible for facility and some staffing costs • School systems responsible for personnel and operating costs • School systems receive extra funding for IHE-related costs such as tuition, fees, and textbooks

5. Mission Statement The mission of the Wake NC State University STEM Early College High School is to provide a highly supportive and academically challenging learning environment for students underserved in a traditional high school setting and underrepresented in the STEM disciplines, including first generation college going students, who will graduate prepared to compete globally in careers related to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

6. Targeted Students • Underserved students—those who do not maximize their potential in traditional, comprehensive high schools • Under-represented students—those who are not represented in the STEM disciplines (by gender, ethnicity, etc.) • First-time college going students in a family • Willing to accept the challenges of an accelerated high school and college education

7. Application, Selection, and Demographics • 312 students applied. 302 “screened” in through paper application due in January 2011—EOG scores, course grades, two essays, three recommendations • Online application in February 2011 • Pool of 302 students forwarded to the WCPSS Magnet School Office. Standard magnet selection process in March 2011 • 55 students selected • 43% first-time college goers, 50:50 male/female ratio, over 70% non-white

8. Relationships, Relevance, and Rigor

9. Relationships • Empowering/supporting teaching staff to create pedagogy, curriculum and personal development plans • Focus on the new NC Teacher Evaluation Process instrument with an emphasis on 21st Century skills development and assessment • STEM summer camp—Students Expanding Minds Together • Student—Parent/Guardian—Teacher dynamic

10. Relationships—Student Values RESPECT • Respect people, property, and the environment • Ethical decision-making • Scholastic integrity • Pride in yourself and school • Express yourself with confidence • Come to school ready to learn • Treat others the way you want to be treated

11. Relationships--Seminar • Seminar with two major foci • ”Whole child” to explore issues related to adolescent development, college environment, university resources, career exploration, etc. • Learning how to participate in thoughtful and democratic discussion through Socratic seminar—economic, ethical, legal, political, social, and sustainability issues related to the Grand Challenges

12. Relationships—AdvisoryCouncil and Business Advisory Board Advisory Council • 12-15 Members • Overall governance of the school Business Advisory Board • 18-20 members, mostly from the business community • Provide support and assistance for career exploration, internships,

13. Relevance—Pedagogy • Learning is the constant, time is the variable • Every student reads, writes, thinks and talks in every classroom every day. • Project-based Learning • Technology—appropriate and meaningful use • Socratic seminar and Paideia Principles (“upbringing of the child”)

14. Relevance—21st Century Learning Outcomes • Mastery of 21st Century interdisciplinary core content and themes • Mastery of learning and innovation skills related to creativity and innovation; critical thinking and problem-solving; and communication and collaboration

15. 21st Century Learning Outcomes—cont. • Development of life and career skills such as flexibility and adaptability; initiative and self-direction; social and cross-cultural skills; productivity and accountability; and leadership and responsibility • Mastery of information, media, and technology skills • www.21stcenturyskills.org

16. Rigor—Academic and Vocational Goals • Completion of NC Future Ready Core curriculum that leads to a high school diploma • All courses (if currently available) taught at the Honors level • Up to two years of NC State course credit • Prepared to be productive and effective citizens, and ready for the world of work • Grand Challenges for Engineering

17. Grand Challengeswww.engineeringchallenges.org • Sustainability make solar energy economical provide energy from fusion develop carbon sequestration methods Energy Economy and Environment provide access to clean water manage nitrogen cycle • Health advance health informatics engineer better medicines Engineering and Life Sciences reverse-engineer the brain • Security restore and improve urban infrastructure prevent nuclear terror Physical Infrastructure and IT secure cyberspace • Joy of Living enhance virtual reality advance personalized learning Personal Technologies and Education engineer the tools of scientific discovery

18. Rigor—Curriculum9th Grade Course of Study Use of the five “Sustainability” challenges related to Global Issues of Earth Science course as the framework or “backbone” for the first year. Access to clean water Carbon dioxide sequestration Nitrogen cycle Making solar energy economical Fusion energy

19. 10th Grade Course of Study

20. 11th Grade Course of Study

21. 12th Grade Course of Study

22. 5th Year Course of Study

23. Contact Informationhttp://stemec.wcpss.net/ Rob Matheson Principal, Wake NC State University STEM Early College High School 1220 Varsity Drive Raleigh, NC 27606 919-515-2308 (office) 919-986-9390 (cell) rmatheson@wcpss.net