New Aerospace and Computer Science & Software engineering courses in 2013-14!

The FVL Board of Regents officially approved the addition of two new specialization courses to the STEM Academy curriculum* for the 2013-14 school year:

Aerospace Engineering (AE) will explore the evolution of flight, navigation and control, flight fundamentals, aerospace materials, propulsion, space travel, and orbital mechanics.  Students will also analyze, design, and build aerospace systems as they make connections to the future of the industry and their own professional goals.

Computer Science and Software Engineering (CSE) is a project- and problem-based, with students working in teams to develop computational thinking and solve open-ended, practical problems that occur in the real world.  The course will develop computational thinking, generate excitement about the field of computing, and to introduce computational tools that foster creativity.

*Both courses are available to STEM Academy students in their second or third year of the program.  Additional open seats in these courses and Principles of Engineering (POE) are also being made available to students outside the STEM Academy for open-enrollment on a first-come, first-serve basis as space permits.  Open enrollments DO NOT require the STEM Academy application.

Apply for the 2013-14 STEM Academy Class

The initial application window for the FVL STEM Academy has now closed.  Applications continue to be accepted and seats will be filled on a first come, first serve basis as room is available.  Students currently in 8th or 9th grade are elligible to apply to join the Academy and enroll in the 2013-14 Introduction to Engineering (IED) course.

In conjunction with the nationally renowned Project Lead the Way^® STEM education program, the FVL STEM Academy gives students the opportunity to enroll in specialized STEM (Science-Technology-Engineering-Math) courses, as well as, rigorous general education courses, providing graduates with the greatest opportunity for success in a post-secondary STEM program.

For more information on what the FVL STEM Academy has to offer your child, please begin by exploring the STEM Academy FAQ.

FVL STEM Academy Community Partnership Team

An important component of the FVL STEM Academy and PLTW is the STEM Community Partnership Team which is comprised of teachers, representatives from colleges, business and industry, and other community members in the Fox Valley region.  The purpose of the partnership team is to support the Academy and PLTW by addressing issues arising from the implementation of the program, mentoring of student teams, and by speaking to students about engineering and technology.

For additional questions about the STEM Academy or more information about how you might benefit as a member of our STEM Community Partnership Team (Executive Summary), please contact our STEM Academy Director, Mr. Alan Nolte.