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STEM school fuels engineering dreams

Open houses slated at the Beavercreek school that focuses on tech curriculum.

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By Anthony Gottschlich, Staff Writer Updated 10:33 PM Thursday, November 26, 2009

BEAVERCREEK — High school is a long way from home for 14-year-old Curtis Cox of Germantown.

But for a kid who wants to be weapons engineer for the military one day, the 45-minute commute to the Dayton Regional STEM School in Beavercreek is worth it.

“My mind is geared toward engineering and they have some really cool opportunities here, like job shadowing,” Cox said recently between classes at the school’s temporary home at 3775 Pentagon Park Blvd. “One of the things they brought in during orientation was an infrared camera. Those are really expensive things.... I wouldn’t have been able to see that (at another high school).”

Dayton STEM, which opened Aug. 17 to 94 ninth-graders from school districts across Montgomery, Greene and Clark counties, hopes to add more students with that kind of enthusiasm. The school, which focuses on science, technology, engineering and math, has scheduled nine open-house-like events over the coming months as it prepares to add eighth and 10th grades next year.

The first is Tuesday, Dec. 1, an “information session” that covers the curriculum and application process and includes a tour of the building. School visits are also planned where parents can sit in on class sessions.

“Our first year is off to a good start, and as we plan for new students next year, our current students are anxious to share their personal experiences,” Principal Brian Boyd said.

STEM programs are growing across the state as educators, government officials and business leaders look to boost the level of science instruction and steer young talent, including high-potential students from underserved communities, toward high-tech careers.

Plans call for the free, largely state-funded Dayton STEM to add two grades each year until it reaches 600 students in grades six to 12. The school works closely with Wright State University and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

Around 20 students have left the school since August for various reasons — they found the program too rigorous; their parents moved, or they wanted to play sports at the high school near their home, said Laurie McFarlin, the school’s spokeswoman. But school officials expected that, McFarlin said, given what they’ve heard from other STEM and new school start-ups.

“We are trying to provide opportunities for our students that will prepare them for whatever it is they want to do in life,” said Boyd, a former assistant professor of mathematics education at Wright State. “Part of that is a job opportunity down the road.... The other (goal) is that they will be able to function as a citizen in a democracy.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7408 or agottschlich@DaytonDailyNews.com.

STEM school open  house dates

The Dayton Regional STEM School, seeking new eighth- and ninth-graders for next fall, has scheduled several open house events over the coming months.

Information sessions focus on the school’s curriculum and application process and include a building tour. School visits allow parents and guardians to sit in on class sessions.

Information sessions are scheduled for 6:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1, and at the same time Jan. 12, Feb. 2 and March 11.

School visits are scheduled for 1:15-3:15 p.m. Jan. 14, Feb. 9 and March 10, and at 9-11 a.m. Jan. 27 and Feb. 23.

Those wishing to attend are asked to RSVP by calling (937) 431-1837 or by clicking on the RSVP link available on the school’s Web site, DaytonStemSchool.org.

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As a parent of a STEM school student, I'd like to point out a couple of facts. Of the 30 school districts from which DRSS draws students, I believe only 2 currently bus the students from their district. Beavercreek, by the way, does not. There are quite a few students who commute from as far or further than downtown Dayton. The transportation issue is difficult, but most parents are rearranging schedules or carpooling because we believe in what the school is doing.

Pam
1:37 PM, 12/2/2009

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Wh should it go to te inner city? shouldn't it be located near the high-tech jobs or internship purposes anyway???

If Dayton Public Schools want a stem school targeted toward inner city kids, then they should buildin another one there. Then we can complain that they built it there and why can't suburb kids go????

why inner city
2:47 PM, 11/28/2009

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Hey "Daytonian." I have a viable option for.

1. Contact Kurt Stanic (Superintendent of DPS)

2. Arrange a meeting and discuss ideal of (collaborating and sponsoring) opening your very own STEM school in inner-city Dayton

3. If he permits, arrange meeting with Board of education continue discussion.

4. Fill our State Board paper work, form a board of directors, hire staff

5. And drive down the street to your STEM

6. Simple. So can we all count on you and your concern?

Go the distance!
10:53 AM, 11/27/2009

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Let's be realistic. If the program is at all rigorous most DPS kids won't be able to get through. 75% of the kids living in Dayton don't even go to DPS because the school system is so bad. Getting socially promoted from grade to grade may help your self esteem and get you up to 8th grade, but it won't get you through STEM.

Tony
10:01 AM, 11/27/2009

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I've never purchased from the Greene and have never been to outlet stores in Monroe!!! Get your priorities straight. The STEM school was located in Greene county AWAY from inner-city students for a reason and we all know why. You can use Wright State and WPAFB as an excuse but Dayton Public doesn't bus to STEM and the RTA takes forever to get there but those Beavercreek kids are there within minutes every morning!!!

Daytonian
8:40 AM, 11/27/2009

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