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STEM Academy Rolls Out Spring Programming
STEM Academy is offering a full plethora of spring Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELO’s) which are listed below. All classes will begin after Spring Break when classes resume on April 9. Please register below for the classes, activities, competitions and sports.
Science & Tech Competitions and Classes
NREL Junior Solar Sprint/Hydrogen Fuel Cell Car Competition
STEM Academy will be competing in the NREL Solar Sprint Car Competition on Saturday May 12th. Our club will be building these small Solar, Hydrogen, or Lithium Ion battery, powered cars for the competition. Only the fastest 2 cars in each category will be able to compete in the competition. All cars will compete in an in house testing and evaluation the week before the NREL competition which will take place on May 12.
Students will work in teams to design and build the fastest chassis, and power system for these cars. We will supply the motors, 3 watt solar panels, and the hydrogen units. The materials will stay at STEM when the club is over, to be used again next year.
Students will be learning how Hydrogen Fuel Cells work, how Photo Voltaic panels work, and how that energy powers these small race cars.
This will be a fun and challenging learning experience.
The class will meet on Tuesdays, after-school from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. starting April 10 through May 12. The registration cost of $45 will cover the cost of the teacher stipend, plus the expenses of the materials.
Mike Shallenberger, STEM School and Academy Engineering Teacher
Read here for more information.
ULA Payload Competition Kick-Off Meeting Set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 10
Did you ever think you could do meaningful aerospace science this summer, and have fun too? Well, you can! If you enjoy the STEM robotic projects, then a payload is similar to a robot, except without wheels.
This summer ULA is having another Intern FUTURE rocket launch on July 28, 2012. STEM will have one payload (3.9″ diameter by 6″ long) bay ride on this launch vehicle. Last year’s team put two electronic payloads into this area. Students will get to help decide what science and what fun things we want to do on our rocket ride. Normally companies like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and JPL are the ones that are asked to build the satellites of today. But for this one you have that opportunity!
We will meet once a week from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Tuesdays, except for Thursday, April 26, when the team will meet on Thursday night, due to the Norm Augustine Event. A small fee to pay for the electronics will be needed to pay for the cost. STEM Academy is a Community Resource Center and students from all schools are welcome to participate.
The ULA Payload Competition is mentored and coached by Jeff Dunker, ULA Engineer in the Test and Data Integration Group for the Atlas, Delta II/IV Programs. Parent volunteers are welcome. Please sign up here to mentor.
Introduction to Computer Programming Concepts
Class Description and Type of Class: Computer Science and Engineering
Learn to take an idea and turn it into a usable problem. You will learn how to write, compile, and run, several useful projects over the course of the class. Programming languages will vary, but the class can be tailored to suit the needs of the participants.
Instructor and Biography:
Mack Gammeter has been a software engineer for the last 10 years, working for various companies developing web, embedded, and 
desktop applications. Mack has worked in Embedded-C, C, C++, and C#, as well as PHP, HTML, CSS, XML, and many other languages. Good software engineering is about understanding basic design and applying good design skills to whatever project one is doing. Mack and his wife Holly, a geologist at Noble Energy, in Denver, were instrumental in helping the Brannbergs start STEM School and Academy. Not only did Mack and Holly assist with the Saturday hands-on big events before STEM opened, but they also helped promote STEM School and Academy with the booth at STEMapolooza at the Convention Center. Mack is also known as “Mack the Chemist” because he studied to be a medical doctor before converting to his career as a software engineer.
Course Proposal – Mack Gammeter
This course will be offered Mondays after school for six-weeks, from 3:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. from April 9 to May 21, for $35 ($5 per class session.).
Please click here to register:
The required textbook will be:
Beginning C# Programming, 1st Edition, January 2012, Kindle Edition. ISBN: 978-1-105-46273-3 Available at Amazon for $2.99: http://www.amazon.com/Beginning-C-Programming-ebook/dp/B006YTWBVW/
Mack Gammeter, 720-331-1415
Internal Combustion Engines
Mike Shallenberger, Engineering Tech teacher and Barry Brannberg, STEM School and Academy President and Founder, will be teaching a class on internal combustion engines. Students will learn the principles of small engine repair on Thursdays from 3:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. starting April 12 to May 17.
Register and click here for the class for $30, ($5 per class session).
Tennis, Cross Country and Golf
Tennis Offered Monday and Wednesdays
What:
Co-Ed for every grade. We will have three weeks of practice and three weeks of intramural games.
Students will take the STEM Academy bus afterschool to Redstone Park tennis courts where we have rented 5 courts. Parents will then pick up students at Redstone Park.
When:
Mondays and Wednesdays after school till 4:30
Starting After Spring Break: Monday April 9th – May 16th (6 Weeks)
Cost:
$75 – With 18 days this evens out to $4/day
Includes a T-Shirt, Tennis Balls, and Transportation to Red Stone Park
Coaches:
Jon Brannberg – Competed at 5A State Tournament in High School
Dipti Pandya – An awesome parent and an experienced player.
Register Here.
STUDENTS MUST BRING OR THEIR OWN TENNIS RACQUET
Cross Country – Conditioning – Running Team
What:
STEM Academy will offer a Cross Country – Conditioning team taught by STEM math teacher Tifiny Howard. Students will run on the Highline Canal close to the school. We are exploring the option of enrolling cross country runners in an optional 5K Race on May 5th. Please let us know if you are interested.
When:
Tuesday and Thursday after school till 4:30 p.m.
Starting After Spring Break: Tuesday April 11th through May 17th (6 Weeks)
Cost:
$50 - Includes a T-Shirt
Coaches:
Tiffany Howard (Coach)
Jon Brannberg (Athletic Director)
Students must bring running shoes and shorts.
Golf at the Highlands Ranch Golf Club
During this third week at the driving range, pupils will be evaluated on their ability to play on the course. The last three weeks will then allow students who are proficient to play on the course with STEM parent mentors. Those students who cannot demonstrate competency, will continue to learn the fundamentals on the driving range, putting green and chipping areas. This will allow all students who wish to either learn the game, hone their skills or even play in tournament level the chance to get out and enjoy the great sport of golf. Students must have their own golf clubs/bag which will be stored before school in Miss Kwan’s room.
- Tuesday, April 10: Indoor Golf Lesson #1 at STEM with “wiffle” balls on golf mats.
- Tuesday, April 17: Indoor Golf Lesson #2 at STEM with “wiffle” balls on golf mats.
- Tuesday, April 24: Lesson #3 at the Highlands Ranch Golf Club Driving Range to shoot balls and practice putting. All students will be transported there after school.
- Tuesday, May 1: Lesson #4 at the Highlands Ranch Golf Club Driving Range. Students who have a sufficient skill levels, will golf with a parent volunteer/mentor helping them and other students will remain on the driving range honing skills.
- Tuesday, May 8: Lesson #5 at Highlands Ranch Golf Club Driving Range. Students who have a sufficient skill levels, will be allowed to golf with a parent volunteer/mentor helping them and other students will remain on the driving range.
- Tuesday, May 15: Lesson #6 at Highlands Ranch Golf Club. STEM Academy Golf Competition Round. Best scores will get trophies and prizes.
Sign up here to register.
Also, parent volunteers are needed to coach and play with the team. Sign up here if you would like to coach/play with the team: http://www.helpersignup.com/viewsheet.php?type=2&sheet=3854e4b774bf75771f06ebbc342d749f
Drama Club to Feature Character, Creativity and Core Values
Drama Coach Kevin Monahan will again offer a four week spring course on Mondays and Thursday afternoons from 3:15-4:45 starting April 9 and continue through May 3. Students will continue building acting skills and add writing and video to the class structure.
The theme for spring is CHARACTER, CREATIVITY and CORE VALUES. Students will develop some of our own material to perform during school, and video for the Douglas County School District cable channel.
The cost is $40 for the four weeks, (8 sessions at $5 per session).
Cup Stacking Club to Meet on Tuesdays Afterschool
Kellon Mitchell, STEM School and Academy seventh grader, is the President and Founder of a new student-led Cup Stacking Club that will meet every Tuesday afternoon from 3:15 to 4:15 p.m. (Location to be announced later.) This club is free and open to all students. Kellon is a member of the U.S.A. National Team and is ranked as one of the top Cup Speed Stakers in the world. Read more about Kellon here.
Sign-up here: http://www.helpersignup.com/viewsheet.php?type=2&sheet=0c56ed9342af82ce3f091afeb466d88d
Sign-up here to volunteer to sponsor the club: http://www.helpersignup.com/viewsheet.php?type=2&sheet=cbc1b871138aabae5e25344530f2befc
Chess Club Begins Tuesday, April 10
Register now for a Spring session of the Chess Club. All player levels are welcome! Players will learn the chess moves, basic checkmates and tactics as well as the chess openings, middlegame strategy and endgames. Weekly Chess Club meetings also include chess tournament play and game analysis. Students must provide their own chess equipment. The class is free if we can get a parent volunteer to lead the club.
The first class will meet on Tuesday, April 10. Class Dates include: 4/10, 4/17, 4/24, 5/1, 5/8, 5/15.
Register here to join the club: http://www.helpersignup.com/viewsheet.php?type=2&sheet=6b9704f9c5b651f2003730766618cdb7
Register here if you would like to volunteer: http://www.helpersignup.com/viewsheet.php?type=2&sheet=1115638de298e815afa6e8b9c7942209
Minecraft Club Continues on Wednesdays Only
Minecraft Club will continue on Wednesdays only, April 11 through May 23. Elizabeth Little, Kenneth Adams, and ULA Engineer Trevor Rymil are the sponsors. Thank you everyone.
To join this free club, please sign up here: http://www.helpersignup.com/viewsheet.php?type=2&sheet=24dc0fc88b30c9372e7ee465de934a7f
Anime Club Thrives On Thursdays
The Anime Club will continue to meet on Thursday afternoon from 3 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. in Mr. Smith’s room. The club is mentored by Marie Price and all students are welcome. Students are currently working on drawing actual Anime art projects.
Sign up for April – May German
The final German class will run from April 16 through May 16. This German class starts at 6:55 a.m. and runs until 7:40 a.m., Mondays and Wednesdays. The class will be held in Mr. Woodward’s Classroom. The cost for this class is $30.
Sign up for April – May Spanish
STEM Academy is pleased to offer April and May Spanish I and II before school, starting April 16 through May 10, from 6:55 a.m. to 7:45 a.m., two-days a week, for $30, for a 4-week session, comprised of two days a week. Spanish I will be offered on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:55 a.m. to 7:40 a.m. starting Monday, April 16. Spanish II will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:55 a.m. to 7:40 a.m. starting Tuesday, April 17.
Sign up for Final Session of Guitar
STEM Academy Guitar – April / May 2012
Guitar is starting back up this semester. We started guitar Monday, April 9 – May 10. We are continuing class like normal Monday – Wednesday and Tuesday – Thursday. You are welcome to sign-up for either class. All students that took guitar last semester will be placed in the advanced classes Mon-Wed or Tues-Thurs. We are asking that newer students who started in January who are taking or have never taken guitar before please sign-up for the Tuesday-Thursday class.
Advanced and Beginner Guitar Cost - $50 Total ($10/week), 5 Weeks for the months of April and May
Student must provide own guitar and notebook for taking notes.
Celebrate the STEM Academy Success!
Before and After-School Programs Thrive!
STEM Academy has experienced amazing success during the 2011-2012 school year with the Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELO) with the afterschool activities, clubs and classes, in addition to band, orchestra and guitar classes before school. Thank you to the students, business and industry mentor/coaches, parents, STEM Stakeholders and volunteers that have reinvented public education and how STEM School and Academy does business. Together we are transforming education!
Here are a small list of the STEM Academy accomplishments and achievements!
STEM Middle School KMO Team Places First in State
Congratulations to the STEM Middle School Team of Grayson Gerlich, Frasier Feight, Aidan McDonald, Charlie Nims and Neehar George Pandya, who ranked first in the State of Colorado at the Knowledge Master Open, (KMO). The detailed results for middle school teams are posted on the KMO site http://www.greatauk.com/kmom.pdf The team is coached by Darsh Pandya, Senior Lead Architect at CenturyLink.
KMO is a semi-annual worldwide academic competition in which teams of approximately 25,000 students from 1600 high schools and middle school in the U.S.A. and other countries earn points by answering multiple-choice questions quickly and accurately. The questions includes fifteen subject areas: American history, world history, government, recent events, economics & law, geography, literature, English, math, physical science, biology, earth science, health & psychology and fine arts. The competition started in 1983 with 74 schools.
STEM School and Academy Team Places FIRST at TSA Colorado State Competition! STEM Named Middle School TSA Chapter of the Year for 2012!
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Because of mathematical mistakes at the State Technology Student Association (TSA) Conference, the STEM Team was just announced the Middle School State First Place Award winner and the Middle School Chapter of the Year for 2012! Thirty-five STEM students earned 39 medals in technical events during the 3-day competition. Congratulations to the TSA Sponsor Mr. Mike Shallenberger, our awesome students and all the parent volunteers who made this great accomplishment possible! Over 700 students from the state of Colorado competed at the event.
STEM Academy Captures Third Place at State Optimist Brain Bowl Championship
Congratulations to the STEM School and Academy Brain Bowl 8th grade team for their third place finish at the 2012 Optimist Brain Bowl State Championship Tournament, March 3, 2012 at Douglas County High School in Castle Rock. The eighth grade team pictured here left to right is comprised of Coach Dipti Pandya, Grayson Gerlich, Frasier Feight, Aidan McDonald, Charlie Nims, Neehar George Pandya, and Coach Darsh Pandya. (Read more.)
STEM Academy Math Counts Takes Seventh at Regional Competition – Sends Two To State Competition
The STEM School and Academy Team finished in 7th place, out of 38 teams with over 350 students participating at the Raytheon Math Counts Competition at DU on Saturday, February 11. Aidan McDonald, 8th grader, and Daniel Horn, 6th grader, both qualified for State Competition on March 10 in Golden finishing 8th and 18th place respectively overall. Congratulations to the entire team and their coach, Dr. Karen Horn a parent volunteer and math professor at Red Rocks Community College. Great job STEM Team!
STEM Academy BEST Robotics Team Takes Top Honors at State
Congratulations to the STEM Academy BEST Robotics Team who won the State Championship BEST of the BEST Award, Founders Award for Creative Design, and 3rd Place Game Award at the October 2011 State Competition. BEST stands for Boosting Engineering Science and Technology. Thank you to Lockheed Martin Engineer Joel Kirkland, and his wife Tami for coaching the team.
STEM Academy FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) 4-H Team Wins the Rookie All-Star Award
The STEM Academy First Robotics Competition (FRC) 4-H Team received the Rookie All-Star Award for outstanding achievement by a first year team at the State FRC competition at the DU Ritchie Center March 24. Read more. The STEM Team was awarded a rookie team grant for $6,500 from the JCPenney Foundation and an additional $2,500 from CSU Extension. Students from seven schools took part in the FRC STEM Academy Team. Thank you to the engineers and parents who mentored the team including four ULA engineers: Paul Fuqua, Ashley Walker, Trevor Rymill and Al Hegemann.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering at STEM Academy!
Not only are we promoting fun, creative, “cool” STEM classes and activities, but we are also building an environment rich in character and the 40 Developmental Assets, similar to what has been developed in the Cherry Creek School District through their Community Asset Project (CAP).
Please contact me if you want to volunteer for any of the after-school classes and activities. We look forward to making The STEM School and Academy a great place to learn.
Judy Brannberg
STEM Academy Executive Director/Program Manager
UCCS Site Coordinator, PIPES Program for Middle School
720-295-STEM (7836) or 303.522.2158
judy.brannberg@stemhigh.org
