Dear parent/guardian and student, Thank you for your interest in the SFA STEM Academy, a partnership of SFA s STEM Research & Learning Center and Lufkin Independent School District. This is an exciting program that offers students opportunities to engage more deeply with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, through elective curriculum at Lufkin High School and laboratory and field experiences led by SFA faculty on our campus. The curriculum emphasizes both STEM study and careers. If your student is interested in these fields, please review the enclosed materials together and encourage him or her to apply for the academy. Enclosed, you will find: 1. Overview of the STEM Academy 2. General Admissions Criteria 3. Expectations of Academy Students, and 4. General Application Form. If you would like to learn more, please attend the parent meeting scheduled for February 11, at 6:00 p.m. at Lufkin High School Auditorium. Please review documents 1 through 3 before completing the application form to be sure that the student requesting admission into the academy meets the set standards and understands the rigor of the academic coursework and expectations. Please note that student schedules enclosed are examples and are subject to change. The student requesting admission into the SFA STEM Academy should complete the General Application Form. Then the student should return the following documents in an envelope to their appropriate school counselor no later than February 26, 2016. the completed application form, sealed teacher recommendation letter, and middle school report cards. Students who submit an application will also be asked to write an essay and complete and interview at a later date. We are excited about this opportunity to work with LISD students. Please feel free to contact your appropriate school counselor or Dr. Jane Long (longjh@sfasu.edu) if you have any questions. Thank you, Jane Long, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Mathematics and SFA STEM Academies Coordinator
SFA STEM Academy Program Overview Mission: The mission of the SFA STEM Academy is to engage high school students in real-world applications of the STEM disciplines within an encouraging community of SFA faculty and high school teachers who support and inspire them both academically and interpersonally. Program Components Rigorous coursework in science and mathematics A unique STEM elective course taught at the high school campus Research, field-based, and laboratory experiences led by SFA faculty on SFA s campus approximately 6 times each semester during the regular school day Focus on problem-based, student-centered investigation Cohort design to encourage a community of support for students and to facilitate ease of scheduling Selective pathways for upper-level students allowing investigation of specific areas of interest through specific coursework and small-group research projects Focus on STEM career options and opportunities to meet well-established professionals in various fields Opportunities for dual credit coursework through SFA and AP coursework through LHS Distinguished high school diploma with STEM Endorsement This is a selective program geared towards academically capable, self-directed students with a strong interest in careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. Students may select different pathways for their course of study (below). Chemical and Life Sciences Pathway o Biology o Biotechnology o Applied Chemistry Mathematics and Engineering Pathway o Applied Physics o Applied Mathematics o Engineering
SFA STEM Academy Expectations of Academy Students Grades: Minimum Grade Requirements: Academy students will be expected to maintain a cumulative, annual minimum Grade of 80 throughout high school. Failure to do so will result in an evaluation of the student s progress by Academy personnel and possible removal from the Academy. Failure of Courses: o High School Courses: Failure of any high school-level course is prohibited and will result in the student s dismissal from the Academy, unless academy personnel deem otherwise due to special circumstances. The student will then be placed into nonacademy courses to be determined by the student, Academy personnel, and school counselor. o College-level Courses: Due to the intensive nature of dual-credit courses, a student will be allotted one failure of a dual credit course throughout their academic tenure within the Academy. In this case, academy personnel will consult together with the student to develop a strategic plan for their continuation within the academy. Furthermore, the student will be put on a probationary status. More than one failure of dual credit courses is prohibited and will result in the removal of the student from the academy. Behavior: Academy students represent not only their respective schools, but also SFA. Thus, an extremely high level of student conduct will be expected. Each academy teacher, academy personnel, and SFA faculty will be responsible for clearly communicating their behavioral expectations via their course syllabus. These expectations will minimally adhere to the behavioral policies (student codes of conduct) of the home campus and SFA. It should be noted that due to the collegiate nature of portions of this Academy, students fall under the behavioral policies of SFA as well as their home campus. According to SFA policy, classroom behavior should not interfere with the instructor s ability to conduct the class or the ability of other students to learn from the instructional program (see the SFA Student Conduct Code, policy D-34.1). Unacceptable or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. Students who disrupt the learning environment may be asked to leave class and may be subject to judicial, academic or other penalties. This prohibition applies to all instructional forums, including electronic, classroom, labs, discussion groups, field trips, etc. The instructor shall have full discretion over what behavior is appropriate/inappropriate in the classroom. If a teacher/faculty member deems a student s conduct as
being inappropriate, the student will undergo an evaluation conducted by Academy personnel that could result in their removal from the academy. Attendance: Classes: Regular school attendance will be expected and students will be minimally required to adhere to their home-campus s attendance and tardy policies. SFA Days: Due to the intensive and investigative nature of these days, students are strongly encouraged and expected to attend all SFA Days. Withdrawing from the Academy: Yearly Evaluation: Students performance within the academy will be evaluated on an annual basis. Academy students will meet with appropriate academy personnel to review their evaluation and to be given an opportunity to withdraw from the academy for the upcoming academic year, if desired. In this case, a formal, written letter of withdrawal should be submitted to the STEM Academy Coordinator from the student, along with appropriate documentation from the student s parent/guardian and academy instructor. Mid-Year Withdrawal: If a student wishes to withdraw from the academy at any point during the current academic year, they must consult with an appropriate member of the academy personnel team. The student must then submit to the STEM Academy Coordinator a formal, written letter of withdrawal, along with appropriate documentation from the student s parent/guardian and academy instructor. A follow-up interview with the Academies Coordinator will likely be required. It should be noted that once a student withdraws from the SFA STEM Academy, they will be immediately removed from their Academy courses and must consult with their counselor to be placed in other courses appropriate to their needs.
SFA STEM Academy General Admissions Criteria Admission Criteria: Requirements to be eligible for admissions into the SFA STEM Academy are: a) Minimum of a B average in all core science and math courses from grades 7 and 8 b) Successful completion of Pre AP Algebra 1 prior to entering the academy in grade 9 c) Excellent attendance in grades 7 and 8 constituting a 95% cumulative attendance record over the 2-year period. (Special circumstances will be taken into consideration on a case-by-case basis) Please note that a review of student conduct throughout grades 7 and 8 will also be conducted. Application Process: A 3-part application process will be utilized for the selection of academy students who meet the above eligibility requirements. The 3-part application process includes: 1. A completed general application form which includes a recommendation letter from a 7 th or 8 th grade math or science teacher (20 points) 2. A handwritten essay response to a prompted question (20 points) 3. An interview (15 points) Each application will be graded based upon set criterion for each part of the 3-part application process. An applicant s advancement to the next phase of the application depends solely upon his/her score on the previous part(s). Each student application will be reviewed and scored by at least two STEM Academy personnel. Once all applications for each successive part of the process have been reviewed, students will be notified promptly as to whether or not they have advanced to the next phase of the application process.
SAMPLE High School Six Year Plan with Endorsement Name: ID #: School: Grade: Date Initiated: Date(s) Amended: The Six Year Plan is intended to give you and your parent(s) a guide to use as you progress through high school. You will want to review the plan each year to make sure you are taking the required courses for graduation. Your counselor will have sample Career Plans of Study for each of the Endorsements that are listed on this page. You may use these as guides to help you select courses that support your career goals. Make sure that you are taking the academic courses that support your post-secondary plans. Endorsement: X _Stem Academy- Chemical and Life Science Business and Industry Arts and Humanities Public Services Multidisciplinary Studies Specialization Area: My Graduation Plan Type Is: Foundation X Distinguished My Post High School plans will take me to: (Check as many as apply): Two Year College Technical Training Four Year College Employment Military Other LHS Graduation Plans 2014-2015 Foundation Plan + Endorsements for Distinguished Discipline Credits Credits English 4 4 Math 3 4 Science 3 4 Social Studies 4 4 Foreign Language 2 2 Fine Arts 1 1 Physical Education 1 1 Professional Communication.5.5 Technology 1 1 State s 2.5 4.5 Local s 9.0 5.0 Total Credits for Graduation 31 31 Directions: Students under the distinguished academic plan need to complete additional courses in Math and Science to earn that distinction towards their endorsement. Students are also encouraged to take advanced coursework in their academic and career related disciplines. 9 TH GRADE 9 TH GRADE English 1 PAP English 1 PAP W Geography (PAP) Geometry PAP Biology PAP Biology PAP STEM 1 (For. Lang) (For. Lang) 11 TH GRADE 11 TH GRADE English 3 AP or English 3 English 3 AP or US History Dual Credit or AP US History Dual Credit or AP AP Calculus AB AP Calculus AB Physics PAP STEM 3 English 2 (PAP) 10 TH GRADE 10 TH GRADE (Art History AP if in cohort) Algebra 2 PAP English 2 (PAP) (World History AP if in cohort) Pre-Cal PAP Chemistry PAP STEM 2 English 4 AP or English 4 Government AP or Gov/Eco AP Biology AP or DC Statistics 12 TH GRADE 12 TH GRADE English 4 AP or Economics AP/ AP Chemistry AP/DC Computer Science (optional) AP Calculus BC (optional) STEM 4 (optional)
SAMPLE High School Six Year Plan with Endorsement Name: ID #: School: Grade: Date Initiated: Date(s) Amended: The Six Year Plan is intended to give you and your parent(s) a guide to use as you progress through high school. You will want to review the plan each year to make sure you are taking the required courses for graduation. Your counselor will have sample Career Plans of Study for each of the Endorsements that are listed on this page. You may use these as guides to help you select courses that support your career goals. Make sure that you are taking the academic courses that support your post-secondary plans. Endorsement: X _Stem Academy- Mathematics and Engineering Business and Industry Arts and Humanities Public Services Multidisciplinary Studies Specialization Area: My Graduation Plan Type Is: Foundation X Distinguished My Post High School plans will take me to: (Check as many as apply): Two Year College Technical Training Four Year College Employment Military Other LHS Graduation Plans 2014-2015 Foundation Plan + Endorsements for Distinguished Discipline Credits Credits English 4 4 Math 3 4 Science 3 4 Social Studies 4 4 Foreign Language 2 2 Fine Arts 1 1 Physical Education 1 1 Professional Communication.5.5 Technology 1 1 State s 2.5 4.5 Local s 9.0 5.0 Total Credits for Graduation 31 31 Directions: Students under the distinguished academic plan need to complete additional courses in Math and Science to earn that distinction towards their endorsement. Students are also encouraged to take advanced coursework in their academic and career related disciplines. 9 TH GRADE 9 TH GRADE English 1 PAP English 1 PAP W Geography (PAP) Geometry PAP Biology PAP Biology PAP STEM 1 (For. Lang) (For. Lang) 11 TH GRADE 11 TH GRADE English 3 AP or English 3 English 3 AP or US History Dual Credit or AP US History Dual Credit or AP AP Calculus AB AP Calculus AB Physics PAP STEM 3 English 2 (PAP) 10 TH GRADE 10 TH GRADE (Art History AP if in cohort) Algebra 2 PAP English 2 (PAP) (World History AP if in cohort) Pre-Cal PAP Chemistry PAP STEM 2 12 TH GRADE 12 TH GRADE English 4 AP or English 4 English 4 AP or Government AP or Govt/Eco AP or DC Statistics DC Computer Science (optional) Economics AP/ AP Calculus BC AP Physics AP Chemistry (optional) STEM 4 (optional)
SFA STEM Academy General Application Form (Part 1) Please complete the following packet and submit it in an envelope to your school counselor. STUDENT INFORMATION (please print clearly) Student s Name: (First) (Last) (Preferred Nickname) Address: City: School Name: Zip Code: Grade: School District (ISD): Male or Female: Ethnicity: PARENT/GUARDIAN INFORMATION (please print clearly) Name: (First) (Last) Email Address: Home/Work Phone: Alternate Contact: Cell Phone: Phone: Student Questions (Please answer): 1. Do you meet the eligibility requirements to be in this academy? 2. Have you completed Pre AP Algebra 1? 3. Have you attended the SFA imas Academy? If so, which year?
Other Items to Submit: 1. Please select one of your 7 th or 8 th grade math or science teachers to write a letter of recommendation for you. Please provide them with the form attached to this packet. You should receive the letter of recommendation back from them in a sealed envelope which you will include when return this packet to your counselor. 2. Please provide a copy of your 7 th /8 th grade transcript in your packet (your counselor should be able to do this for you).
SFA STEM Academy Student Recommendation Form Dear Instructor, You are being asked to provide a letter of recommendation for a student seeking admission to the SFA STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Academy. Please provide a brief letter that minimally addresses the following: The academic potential of the student. Student s work ethic. Organizational skills of the student. Attendance and promptness of the student. Some of the student s personality characteristics. Student s overall attitude towards learning. After you have completed the letter, please place it in a sealed envelope and give it back to your student. They are responsible for submitting it in their application packet. Thank you, Dr. Jane Long Associate Professor of Mathematics and SFA STEM Academies Coordinator
SFA STEM Academy Applicant Teacher Recommendation The SFA STEM Academy is a serious undertaking for a high school student. If you have taught an applicant in 7 th or 8 th grade math or science, please rate each applicant on the following rubric. Please note that it is not required for students to be rated entirely in the far right column to be accepted. We would not expect many, if any, students to fall into that category, and honesty is the most important consideration. Please also be sure to write comments below the rubric. Thank you for your assistance! Student Name: Teacher Name: Course(s) from which teacher knows this student s work: Academic Potential Little Some Considerably Above Highly Motivated Motivated Work Ethic Not Motivated Somewhat Organizational Skills Attendance and Promptness Attitude Towards Learning Poor Showing improvement/ potential Above Poor Above Poor/ Unenthusiastic Somewhat Enthusiastic Above Truly exceptional; one of the top few I have known Exceptionally Motivated Excellent Excellent Excellent/Very Enthusiastic Comments (REQUIRED):