S.T.E.M. Mission Statement

"Noble High School's S.T.E.M. Diploma Endorsement is designed and offered to promote and recognize the ability, desire, and accomplishments of students who seek to pursue science or math at the postsecondary level. The S.T.E.M. endorsement is evidence that a recipient has successfully pursued a broad and rigorous learning pathway in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics."

Noble High School has developed two STEM endorsement options for students to help provide a more personalized education by giving them more choices when developing their individualized educational plans. These endorsement options will become available starting in the 2015-2016 school year. The different options are as follows:

• Endorsement in S.T.E.M. (General)

  • • serves to prepare students who are planning on pursuing a college major in life and physical sciences, pre-med/pre-vet, technology fields.

• Endorsement in S.T.E.M. (Engineering)

  • • serves to prepare students who are planning on pursuing a college major in engineering and mathematics.

 

These endorsement options serve to model college “majors.” While students pursuing an endorsement option are still required to complete Noble’s regular graduation requirements, the endorsements allow students to tailor their own educational experiences and pathway toward graduation to their individual interests and aspirations. The endorsement options also offer the following benefits for students:

 

• they aim to focus student thinking about the direction of their education;

• they allow for increased student choice/pursuit of individual interests;

• they allow for recognition for going beyond general NHS graduation requirements;

• they help to prepare students for careers and/or academic pursuits after high school;

• they provide a new utility and role for elective courses in our new standards-based system.

 

High school teachers and administrators began researching the development of the S.T.E.M. endorsements during the 2013-2014 school year. Community partners throughout this process included S.M.C.C., U.M.O. Engineering, Pratt and Whitney, U.S.M., Educate Maine, Hussey Seating, and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard. Visitations were conducted at Falmouth High School and Thornton Academy, both of which offer related S.T.E.M. options for students.

 

The high school’s development of these S.T.E.M. opportunities is consistent with Maine Department of Education’s position on S.T.E.M. education:

 

“S.T.E.M. teaching and learning can: positively impact career options and decision-making; strengthen Maine’s economy; foster informed and successful citizens; elevate the aspirations of Maine students.Science, technology, engineering and mathematics are foundations of an advance society. If we wish to ensure equitable access to high wage, high growth employment for Maine students, learning in these areas must also be a part of the educational foundation for all Maine students.”

 

All endorsement options require students to participate in a series of endorsement-specific elective coursework; Extended Learning Opportunities (E.L.O.s); job shadows; and Senior Project topics/presentations.

 

To initiate the pursuit of an endorsement option, students submit a “Declaration of Intent Form,” and become identified as “Endorsement Candidates.” Students who complete the endorsement requirements will be deemed “Endorsement Recipients.” Upon graduation “Endorsement Recipients” will receive special distinction.