Goals and Benefits

STEM Academy Goals and Benefits

What are the goals of the program?

• To expose students to rigorous science, technology, engineering, and math curriculum in order to develop a pathway to a future STEM career.
• To develop students who are socially responsible, globally aware and locally engaged.
• To develop a diverse group of students who will be successful as STEM majors in college with no remediation required.
• To graduate students who will have an opportunity to complete their first year of STEM college courses and up to 32 UT Arlington semester credit hours prior to high school graduation.
• To graduate students with additional college credit earned through AP courses.
• To develop students with strong leadership skills that allows them to communicate and collaborate with others.
• To strengthen ties among the school district, UT Arlington and STEM-related businesses in our community.

What are the benefits for students who choose to participate in the program?

• Students will be prepared to pursue a STEM-related career.
• Students will develop professional life skills in preparation for a career in STEM.
• Students will be part of the STEM cohort – a group of students that will take their STEM-related academic and core classes together in a collaborative environment.
• Opportunity to select a STEM pathway(s) of greatest interest: Engineering, Biology/Biomedical Science, Computer Science/Technology and Math/Science.
• Students will earn pre-AP, AP and, possibly, dual credit with UT Arlington in STEM coursework.
• Integration of STEM content into non-STEM core classes such as English and History.
• Students will have the opportunity to complete university courses in their major.
• Student preparation to pursue a college degree in a STEM-related major at UT Arlington or their college of choice will be emphasized.
• Possible automatic acceptance into specific STEM majors at UT Arlington for students who successfully complete their IGP (Individual Graduation Plan) as it relates to STEM coursework complete their IGP (Individual Graduation Plan) as it relates to STEM coursework.
• Students will engage with professional and educational mentors to assist in their own personal growth and development in the STEM field.
• Enrichment opportunities will provide students meaningful STEM experiences outside of the classroom.
• Extracurricular opportunities at Martin High School will be open to all STEM Academy students to ensure a rich high school experience that may include sports, fine arts, clubs and organizations.
• STEM students will participate in service learning volunteer activities each year.
• The STEM Academy curriculum includes a capstone course and/or internship during the senior year.