Science and Math in Urban Schools

Students in urban schools often perform poorly in mathematic and science courses. They often complain that the courses are boring and are not relevant to their everyday lives. In Baltimore City, students often struggle with the Algebra and Biology HSA's. 68.5% of the juniors in Baltimore City have passed the Algebra HSA and less than 60% have passed the Biology HSA. In order to combat student apathy and get them excited about studying math and science, several programs are being implemented that encourage students to become interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematic (STEM) fields. Students engage in hands-on, real world projects that make math and science relevant to their life. Two programs taht are on the forefront of this movement are Project Lead the Way (PLTW) and Mathematics, Engineering, and Science Achievement (MESA).

Project Lead the Way according to its website is, "all about teaching and learning." PLTW has a curriculum for middle school, Gateway to Technology, and for high school, Pathway to Engineering, that makes science and math relevant to students. As part of the high school curriculum, students take advance courses such as Digital Electronics, Computer Integrated Manufacturing and Principles of Engineering. In those classes, students complete projects where they are able to apply the concepts that they are learning in class to problems that they encounter in their everyday lives. Besides their engineering curriculum, PLTW has a curriculum that focuses on biomedical sciences.

MESA is an academic preparation program for students in k-12, community college and universities. MESA is being implemented in schools where students are at an educational disadvantage and it is believed that this support will allow those students to excel in math and science and continune their education towards a degree in a STEM discipline. MESA offers students individual academic plans, college entrance exam preparation, training in study skills, MESA Day Academies, and career and college exploration. At MESA Day Academies, students compete to solve problems using math and science. Competitions include such problems as devising a way to hold a maximum number of marbles on a 25 cm x 25 cm piece of aluminum foil as it floats on water and creating an object that can launch a ping pong ball using only a paper towel tube, paper clips and a rubber band.

At Patterson High School, students participate in PLTW and compete at MESA Day Academies. I have seen the enthusiasm that these programs foster in students and their desire to excel at STEM disciplines. On Baltimore City Public School's website, you can see Patterson students engaged in PLTW classes and completeing projects in engineering and robotics.

http://www.bcps.k12.md.us/news/Patterson.asp