STEM 10 OVERVIEW
STEM 10 is an interdisciplinary program for 10th graders in ACPS that emphasizes authentic problem-solving, collaboration and community engagement. Picking up on the theme of sustainability introduced in STEM 9, the theme of STEM 10 is “Our City, Our World.” Through the lenses of design, math, science and the humanities–and by making connections between them–students will engage with global issues in the context of Alexandria, Virginia.
The centerpiece of the program is a year-long capstone project which requires students to identify and address a local problem with global implications. Through application of the design cycle and supported by community-based mentors from applicable professional fields, students will collaborate on projects that require application of knowledge and techniques from all STEM subjects. Students will participate in 15 hours of mentor-group contact over the course of the year in support of the capstone project.
As they work on the capstone project, students groups will maintain an organized binder (physical and/or virtual) to include process documents, forms and worksheets, research, ongoing reflections, progress reports, and time logs. A portfolio of formal capstone deliverables will be built including a project proposal, research summary including annotated bibliography, mentor memo, procedural plan, infographic, and Symposium Multimedia presentation (eg powerpoint, video).
Students will present and reflect on their work at a year-end symposium, employing a variety of technology-enhanced communication strategies ranging from infographics to project reports. Completion of STEM 10 will prepare students for advanced academics including independent work in Science Research.
View the STEM 10 Handbook for more information: