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Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
Released on: 3/24/2009

What is a STEM School?

STEM stands for science, technology engineering and mathematics. STEM schools are comprehensive schools, which include the humanities and arts. At the National Inventors Hall of Fame School...Center for STEM Learning, your child will learn by doing - solving problems, designing solutions and testing results.

How is the National Inventors Hall of Fame School ...
Center for STEM Learning different from other schools?

The STEM school experience is much like starting a first job. The student must bring his or her own strengths and talents to the job and put them to use. Likewise, students must be prepared to improve their skills and truly apply themselves. The National Inventors Hall of Fame School ... Center for STEM Learning is designed to let students work collectively with inventors, STEM-related businesses and organizations, and with faculty and students from the University of Akron. The school will allow students to take intellectual risks and prepare them to become inventive, creative problem-solvers.

As a professional development school, your child will interact with both undergraduate and graduate students for The University of Akron. University students will actively participate in field experiences, student teaching, service learning and research. Parental permission for student participation in a Professional Development School setting is required for admittance to the school. http://www.uakron.edu/

What are the school's teaching and learning philosophies?

Scientific inquiry and technological design are the cornerstones of instruction for the school. The learning environments will focus on personalized learning and teamwork skills - incorporating engineering, personal finance, music, art, humanities and other content areas. Teachers will act as student advisors, working with small groups of students to set goals and identify rigorous coursework to meet those goals.

Do teachers have special training?

The school received an Ohio STEM Schools Grant for planning and the Ohio STEM Learning Network (http://www.osln.org/) invited us to become part of the Ohio STEM Platform School network. Schools in the network are expected to continually share best teaching and learning practices with local, regional, state and national educators. Visitors are welcome to observe, learn and conduct research at the school.

Where is the school located?

The school will open this fall at the Central Learning Center located at 400 W. Market St. After construction is complete, the school facility will be located at 199 S. Broadway. The school facility will be shared with the National Inventors Hall of Fame Exhibit.

When will the school open?

The school will open August 26, with approximately 200 fifth and sixth grade students. Applications for this class have been completed.

How many students will be admitted?

The school will eventually serve grades 5 - 8 with a maximum of 400-500 students. The school admission plan is as follows:

2009-10: Grades 5, 6

2010-11: Grades 5, 6, 7

2011-12: Grades 5, 6, 7, 8

Are there special requirements to get accepted into the school?

The school will not use academic achievement or aptitude as a part of the selection process. Students of all ability levels are eligible to attend.

Can my child participate in extracurricular activities at the school?

All 7th and 8th grade students are eligible to participate in after-school extracurricular activities within the school.

What about transportation?

Transportation will not be provided directly by the school. School staff is working to help parents arrange car pools with other families attending the school.

How can my child apply for the STEM school?

The application process for the 2009-10 classes is already complete. Applications for the 2010-11 fifth grade class will be available December 2009. Families may retrieve applications from the website,www.akronscienceschool.com any Akron public school, public libraries and the Open Enrollment office located at 70 N. Broadway.

All completed applicants are placed in a lottery. The lottery will be weighted to represent the clusters of the Akron Public School district and out of district students.

How will technology be used at the STEM school?

Students will be given a tablet PC (laptop personal computer) for use at school and at home. Laptops are powerful instructional tools providing instant access to videos, tutorials, news databases and other curriculum materials. Learning through Web-based instruction will prepare students for postsecondary learning and living in a technology-driven society.

How will parents be involved at the STEM school?

Parents will play a very important role in your child's education at the STEM school. As outlined in this document, your permission is required for students to participate in this open education which may include research, data sharing and technological learning. In addition, there are family responsibilities required for attendance at STEM such as online access to the Web and learning beyond the school day.

What about students who need additional help with curriculum?

Different levels of intervention will be available to students after school.

Will access to Web sites be controlled?

During the school day, APS blocks access to inappropriate Web sites, materials and social networking Websites.

However, as a 1:1 laptop school, students will also have access to the internet at home, the library and within the community in the same manner as adults. This is where you, the parent or guardian, play a key role.

We are preparing students to be good digital citizens and to effectively use technology. The tablet is to be used for educational purposes only and before students are given a laptop, students must agree to responsibilities and expectations for its use. We trust students to honor these expectations and we request parents and guardians to discuss these expectations as a family, to set ground rules for browsing online outside of the classroom.

Violations of the acceptable use policy may result in the loss of technology privileges and even disciplinary actions.

Who are the school partners and what are their roles?

Through these partnerships we will have access to a variety of community experts and resources. As a result of this unique opportunity students will be able to learn in a classroom without walls.

• Akron Public Schools
• City of Akron
• National Inventors Hall of Fame Foundation
• The University of Akron
• Greater Akron Chamber
• Akron Tomorrow

All of the partners are working with our school to assist in one or more of the following areas:

• Providing mentors to the students
• Helping to develop curriculum
• Giving us access to their facilities and resources
• Fundraising planning to meet the needs of our population
• o Technology enhancement
• o Enriched student and teacher learning experiences
• o Field trips opportunities

Who can I contact if I need more information?

The NHIF ... STEM school is an Akron public school. You may contact Traci Buckner, Instructional Leader/Principal, at 330-761-3195 or tbuckner@akron.k12.oh.us