iSTEM ACADEMY

This four-year program hosted by Kettle Run High School focuses on cross-curricular courses with an iSTEM (integrated Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) emphasis. Students build their leadership and project management skills while receiving hands-on scientific and engineering experience.

Key Elements of the iSTEM Academy include:

• Cross-curricular courses with a STEM emphasis
• Workplace readiness skills and certifications
• Access to dedicated lab space, co-curricular clubs, field experiences, and guest speakers
• STEM-related extracurricular and co-curricular community activities

To earn the iSTEM Honors Medal, students must:

• complete all requred courses and maintain at least a 3.0 overall GPA
• complete at least 2 recommended courses
• earn at least 2 of the offered skill certifications
• complete an independent project to be presented in a formal setting
• complete a minimum of 30 cumulative hours of voluntary community service or extracurricular activities that involve the application of STEM

To earn the iSTEM Graduation Cords, the following requirements must be met:

• complete all requred courses and maintain at least a 2.5 overall GPA
• complete at least 2 recommended courses
• earn at least 1 of the offered skill certifications
• complete an independent project to be presented in a formal setting
• complete a minimum of 20 cumulative hours of voluntary community service or extracurricular activities that involve the application of STEM

To earn the iSTEM Certificate, the following requirements must be met:

• complete all requred courses and maintain at least a 2.0 overall GPA
• complete at least 2 recommended courses
• earn at least 1 of the offered skill certifications
• complete an independent project to be presented in a formal setting
• complete a minimum of 10 cumulative hours of voluntary community service or extracurricular activities that involve the application of STEM

ALL iSTEM Academy students must maintain a C average and be enrolled in at least one required class each year.

Required Courses for the iSTEM Academy:

• 9th Grade: iSTEM I - Foundations (9th Grade)
  • STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) is essential for the development of critical thinking and encouraging innovation. iSTEM takes this a step further by incorporating multiple disciplines while challenging students to solve real-world problems and explore their world. This hands-on, project-oriented, interdisciplinary course will introduce students to engineering, programming, technical writing, research practices, and project management.
• 10th Grade: iSTEM II - Terrestrial & Space
  • This course integrates the study of engineering, computer science, mathematics, and scientific principles in terrestrial and outer space environments. Students will be required to collaborate, write, and solve a host of problems skillfully and creatively. Students are expected to present their finished work in a formal setting.
• 11th Grade: iSTEM III - Aquatic & Air
  • This course integrates the study of engineering, computer science, mathematics, and scientific principles in atmospheric and aquatic environments. Students will be required to collaborate, write, and solve a host of problems skillfully and creatively. Students are expected to present their finished work in a formal setting.
• 12th Grade: Academy Capstone
  • Students will demonstrate their knowledge and skills through completion of an independent project to be presented in a formal setting. iSTEM Capstone students are expected to mentor students in iSTEM I, II, and III classes.

Recommended Courses for the iSTEM Academy:

• Physics
• Physics I AP
• Ecology
• Anatomy & Physiology
• Marine Biology
• Environmental Science AP
• AP Seminar
• AP Research
• Technical Drawing & Design
• Engineering Drawing & Design
• Graphic Imaging Technology I
• Computer Animation & 3D Modeling
• Drafting I
• Computer Science Principles AP
• Advanced Mathematics
• Mathematical Analysis
• Probability & Statistics
• Statistics AP
• Calculus
• Calculus AP (AB or BC)
• Geospatial Science through JMU
• Introduction to Psychology
• Psychology AP
• Sociology