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STEM Distinction

“In the 21st century, scientific and technological innovations have become increasingly important as we face the benefits and challenges of both globalization and a knowledge-based economy. To succeed in this new information-based and highly technological society, students need to develop their capabilities in STEM to levels much beyond what was considered acceptable in the past.”  -National Science Foundation
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STEM Distinction Overview

Goals of the Program

1. To expose students to a variety of STEM fields and demonstrate the inter-relatedness of science, technology, engineering, and math.
2. To gain functional knowledge in all areas of STEM and sustain interest in future STEM-based pursuits.
3. To gain fluency in a computer science language in order to learn different problem solving algorithms and to improve analytical thinking and problem solving.
4. To promote STEM related literacy, whether or not they pursue STEM-related fields in the future.
5. To develop creativity and design thinking skills.

Program Requirements

1. Academic coursework
In addition to the general graduation requirements set forth by the Upper School, students must complete the following courses with a minimum grade of a B :
• Introduction to Computer Programming
• Advanced and/or AP Computer Science
• AP Calculus AB
• Two of the following: AP Chemistry, AP Physics, AP Biology 

​​Students must earn at least 500 points to receive the certificate at graduation. Enrolling in classes, participating in clubs and activities related to STEM-based initiatives, and attending outside field-related seminars all count toward this goal. Among the points earned for completing certain elective activities, there are two required elements: reading a STEM related book during the summer and then attending a seminar in the fall to discuss the reading, and writing a one page reflection on the book; and the completion of a capstone research project during senior year.
2. Extracurricular activities
 Participating in the following clubs and activities count toward the STEM distinction:
  • Coding
  • Girls Who Code
  • Raider Robotics is part of the FIRST Tech Challenge, a global competition program. The team meets approximately once a week, generally on Sunday afternoons, starting in September and running through February or March, depending on the competition schedule. Students learn engineering, coding, and group work skills in this team building exercise. 
Students can also earn STEM points by participating in outside field-related seminars. Examples of seminars that have been offered in the past include:
  • Hackathon​




3. summer reading
Each year, the STEM co-chairs will confer on a STEM related book for all distinction candidates to read during the summer. Students will then attend a seminar in the fall to discuss the reading and write a one-page reflection on the book.

2021: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot OR Grasping Mysteries: Girls Who Loved Math byJeannine Atkins
​2020: Virals by Kathy Reichs
2019: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba

4. capstone research project
In lieu of the tradition DeHart Project, STEM distinction graduates are required to complete the STEM Capstone Project.

​The STEM Capstone Project reflects the belief that the processes inherent in learning are at least as important as the products. All STEM students should complete certain common processes. These essential processes include:
  1. Developing and implementing a plan of action
  2. Conducting research
  3. Working with an advisor
  4. Presenting research through multiple modalities
  5. Reflecting and self-evaluating
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STEM Capstone Project Description
Junior Year
  • Develop your own original idea for a scientific investigation. Examples include: lab research to answers a scientific question, creating a prototype of a product that serves a defined need and then testing that prototype, creating and testing a computer program that solves a defined problem, or other ideas that are approved by an NCS STEM teachers
  • Complete Rough Draft of Project Proposal by June 1

Summer Between Junior and Senior Year
  • Complete revised Project Proposal
  • Complete research notes and work cited page from a minimum of three primary sources (see Project Proposal for details) by September 1

Senior Year
  • Create/experiment, improve, communicate
  • Create and test multiple iterations of prototypes of product developed to solve a problem, conduct multiple trials of scientific research to answer a question, create and test computer program, etc.
  • Gather and analyze data, take pictures of experiments or steps in building of a prototype
  • Student will keep a reflective notebook/process log (with diagrams/sketches/pictures as needed) documenting daily work done on the project
  • Complete writing formal report and preparing oral presentation (due dates based on date of speech and as arranged with STEM teachers and advisor)

2023 STEM Distinction Capstone Projects
Jennifer Landry
Science Department Chair, Upper School Chemistry, STEM Program Co-Coordinator, Robotics, Honor Council Advisor
UCLA—B.S.
Penn State—M.A.
Morris Award 2016
Appointed 2005
Michael Koss
​Math and Computer Science Department Chair, Upper School Math, STEM Program Co-Coordinator, Robotics
University of Michigan—B.A.
Indiana University—Ph.D.
​Appointed 2016