San Miguel: Nurturing STEM Excellence
What materials contribute to the fortitude of a building withstanding seismic forces during an earthquake simulation?
How can we interpret brain waves that can enter inputs into a computer?
What battery is best for your household devices?
These were the questions asked by the top three finalists at San Miguel’s 6th annual STEM Fair Expo held this past week.
Prior to this culminating event, all students determine a problem for which science may hold the answer. They design, test, analyze and present their findings to their class in early spring. The top five projects from each grade are chosen to present at the evening expo where the San Miguel community all come out to engage with our budding scientists. Families, fellow classmates, friends of the school and staff walk the room and engage with our top scientists as they present their research, answer questions, and consider input from the audience. The evening’s attendees then cast a vote for the winning project.
This week’s STEM fair came on the heels of exciting news for the entire school community. After partaking in a year-long process, San Miguel has been designated Cognia STEM Certified- the first and only NativityMiguel school to earn such esteemed recognition. This accreditation recognizes the school's dedicated focus on STEM learning through a rigorous set of evaluative criteria. By meeting these high standards, San Miguel School has shown that our STEM program is thoroughly embedded in our institution, defined by clear expectations for learning outcomes, composed of integrated activities within and beyond the school day, and focused on performance-based demonstrations of learning.
“For the past decade, it has been our goal to transform San Miguel into a STEM Powerhouse. Our students come from historically underserved communities and are particularly underrepresented in STEM fields. San Miguel wants to change that. We realize that for students to become interested in STEM careers, they need real-world, high-quality, and engaging experiences in middle school. This certification signifies a school-wide dedication and commitment to fostering a love of STEM for our students.”
That commitment to STEM education shone brightly through the faces of this year’s STEM Fair winners as they walked up to receive their awards. Third place winner, eighth grader Neythan C., was recognized for his research of which materials contribute to the fortitude of a building withstanding seismic forces during an earthquake simulation. Fellow eighth grader Luis M.C., claimed second place with his exploration of the interpretation of brain waves that can enter inputs into a computer. First place was awarded to seventh grader William F., who enthusiastically walked attendees through his hypothesis on what battery is best for your household devices.
Science teacher and STEM Fair co-coordinator, Ms. Sibree, reflected, “ I am especially proud of our students' ownership as they conducted their experiments and collected data independently. This demonstrated their ability to think scientifically, problem solve, and resulted in thought-provoking results.”
Fellow science teacher and co-coordinator, Mr. Alfajardo, praised the participants for their engaging presentations, “In science today, it's just as important to convey enthusiasm and explain your research to a wider general public as it is to conduct the research.”
Like most initiatives at San Miguel, STEM education is a team effort. Many were involved in the Fair and some were particularly instrumental in attaining the Cognia Certification. Mr. Palank specifically recognized math teacher, Ms. Guevara, for her help leading the STEM Certification standards inventory and survey. “Her leadership through the process was invaluable to achieving this honor.”
The recent STEM Fair Expo and the Cognia STEM Certification are testaments to San Miguel's unwavering commitment to providing its students with the tools and opportunities necessary to excel in STEM fields. As the school continues to invest in its STEM programs and nurture the scientific curiosity of its students, it is clear that San Miguel is well on its way to becoming a recognized leader in STEM education, empowering the next generation of innovators and problem-solvers.