XLR8 STEM Academy

Welcome to the STEM Academy! Today you will learn more about the STEM Academy, what we do and what makes us unique. I’d like to begin with a brief picture tour of the STEM Academy which is housed here at CVCC in the AREVA Technology Building.

Classrooms Classrooms

Construction Lab

3D Printers

XLR8 STEM Academy Lynchburg Regional Governor’s XLR8 STEM Academy opened for classes on August 15th, 2013 The STEM Academy is a public-private Partnership

Why STEM Education? The reality is that by 2018, STEM jobs are expected to grow 17% Other job areas (non-STEM) are projected to trail at half that amount.

Why STEM Education? One million job openings in STEM fields will occur over the next 10 years, yet ONLY 16% of college graduates have studied in STEM-related fields 80% of the jobs will require a technical skill in the next decade. These jobs will average a 26% higher salary than in non-STEM related fields

Engineering Class Governor’s School Banner Math Class

Junior Engineering Class

Chemistry for Engineers Lab

AREVA Indy Car –Nuclear Education Week

Field Trips

AREVA-Mill Ridge Training Facility Tour

Junior Year Students in their Junior year take all their classes as a cohort, and all classes are dual-enrolled with CVCC. The Engineering classes are part of the Project Lead the Way Curriculum. PLTW is a nationally recognized curriculum which emphasizes critical thinking, creativity , innovation and real-world problem solving. The hands -on learning engages students on multiple levels, exposes them to areas of study that they may not otherwise pursue All PLTW teachers attend a two week training session and are PLTW certified instructors.

Junior Year Classes Introduction to Engineering Design (PLTW) Principles of Engineering (PLTW) College Algebra & Elementary Statistics College Chemistry for Engineers Students in their Junior year take all their classes as a cohort, and all classes are dual-enrolled with CVCC. The Engineering classes are part of the Project Lead the Way Curriculum. PLTW is a nationally recognized curriculum which emphasizes critical thinking, creativity , innovation and real-world problem solving. The hands -on learning engages students on multiple levels, exposes them to areas of study that they may not otherwise pursue All PLTW teachers attend a two week training session and are PLTW certified instructors.

Senior Year Information In their Senior year, students take 2 of their 5 classes either in the specialty area of mechatronics or biotechnical engineering. All students take Digital Electronics & Engineering Math/Precalculus as a cohort and each student will participate in a 16 week internship the spring semester of their senior year. All of these courses will be dual enrolled with CVCC.

Biotechnology Biotechnical Engineering is the use of living systems and organisms to develop or make useful products Types of Biotechnical Engineering: Biomechanics, cardiovascular engineering, genetic engineering, agricultural biotechnology, biomedical devices and forensics Examples: Drought tolerant plants, biodegradable plastics, biofuel, gene therapy/testing, development of antibiotics & new treatments for: cancer, bone fractures, heart disorders Biotechnical Engineering is the use of living systems and organisms to develop or make useful products Types of Biotechnical Engineering: Biomechanics, cardiovascular engineering, genetic engineering, agricultural biotechnology, biomedical devices and forensics Examples: Drought tolerant plants, biodegradable plastics, biofuel, gene therapy/testing, development of antibiotics & new treatments for: cancer, bone fractures, heart disorders Mechatronics combines mechanical engineering, electronics and computing. ◦Mechatronic engineers use computers and other digital control systems to control industrial processes. Examples of Mechatronics: ◦Home: Digital home thermostat, washing machines, cameras, photocopiers, digitally controlled combustion engines, automated guided vehicles(self-park) and anti-lock car brakes. ◦Industry: Robots, machine tools with self-adaptive tools, powerful and precise computer-controlled machine tools used in manufacturing.

Mechatronics Mechatronics combines mechanical engineering, electronics and computing. Examples of Mechatronics: Home: Digital home thermostat, washing machines, cameras, photocopiers, digitally controlled combustion engines, automated guided vehicles(self-park) and anti-lock car brakes. Industry: Robots, machine tools with self-adaptive tools, powerful and precise computer-controlled machine tools used in manufacturing.

Senior Router Project

Biotechnical Engineering Senior Year classes Mechatronics Biotechnical Engineering Computer Integrated Manufacturing (PLTW) Digital Electronics (PLTW) Engineering Math Physics Internship Biotechnical Engineering (PLTW) Digital Electronics (PLTW) Engineering Math Human Anatomy & Physiology Internship In their Senior year, students take 2 of their 5 classes either in the specialty area of mechatronics or biotechnical engineering. As you can see, each student will take Engineering Math & Digital Electronics as a cohort and each students will participate in a 12 week internship the spring semester of their senior year. All of these courses will be dual enrolled with CVCC as well. The students will have an opportunity to earn up to 50 dual enrollment credits while attending the STEM academy. The students can use those credits towards a certificate in mechatronics or biotechnology, applied towards an associate degree from CVCC or transferred to a 4 year college or university to be applied towards a bachelors degree----- Think of the STEM Academy as a highway with multiple exit ramps!

STEM Academy-Highway with multiple exit ramps The students will have an opportunity to earn up to 50 dual enrollment credits while attending the STEM academy. The students can use those credits towards a certificate in mechatronics or biotechnology, apply towards an associate degree from CVCC or transfer to a 4 year college or university to be applied towards a bachelors degree.

Application Process Interested students may apply in the spring of their sophomore year April 1st: All applications due May 1st: Official notification of acceptance to school counselors and student

Application Requirements Student completes STEM Academy Application Counselor Recommendation Form Three teacher recommendations (science, math, other) Complete CVCC Application Virginia Placement test in Math and English Prerequisites: GPA 2.0 or above Completed Algebra 1 and Geometry with a grade of “C” or better Completed two (2) years of Science with a grade of “C” or better from the following: Earth Science, Biology, Biology 2, Chemistry Must take Virginia Placement test in Math and English.

Application Prerequisites GPA 2.0 or above Completed Algebra 1 and Geometry with a grade of “C” or better Completed two(2) years of a science with a grade of “C” or better. These can be from Earth Science, Biology 1, Biology 2 or Chemistry.

How to Apply Fill out the application form and return it to your school counselor Ask your school counselor to complete the Counselor Form. Ask three of your teachers (1 math teacher, 1 science teacher and 1 other teacher) to write recommendations for you using the form provided. Take the CVCC Placement test in MATH and ENGLISH and include the results in your application packet. Your school counselor or CVCC Career Coach will have information about specific dates and times. Please note you MUST apply to CVCC before taking the test. Make sure the application, counselor form, and three recommendation forms are completed and in the hands of your school counselor by the application deadline

CVCC Application Process & Placement Testing 1. Complete the online CVCC application. 2. Write down or print the SIS ID number that is automatically generated after you complete your application 3. Bring your SIS ID number and photo ID to your designated testing site. 4. Your results will be given to you when you complete your test 5. Attach a copy of these results to your XLR8 application.

Placement Test Information

STEM Academy Website www.xlr8academy.com

Questions? Susan Cash, Director XLR8 STEM Academy Phone: 434-832-7731 Email: scash@xlr8academy.com Website: www.xlr8academy.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/xlr8academy Twitter: @xlr8academy