Robert M. Shoemaker High School
STEM Academy Handbook
2013-2014
School Year
Welcome
On behalf of the entire faculty and staff at Robert M. Shoemaker High School and the STEM Academy, I extend a warm welcome and best wishes for your success. We are looking forward to your participation in our program for the 2013- 2014 school year. We have an exciting program of events scheduled for this school year and hope you share our enthusiasm about your future with STEM. STEM students may participate in field trips, events, and competitions. Students also have the opportunity to earn letter jackets, patches, and cord recognition upon graduation. Our Project Lead the Way (PLTW) program is nationally certified and students may earn transcript college credit. We have and may participate in.
STEM participates in the following competitions:
BEST- Boosting Engineering Science and Technology
FIRST- For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology:
FRC- FIRST Robotics Competition
FTC- FIRST Tech Challenge
MATE- Marine Advanced Technology Education
VEX Robotics
TCEA- Texas Computer Educational Association
TSA- Technology Student Association
Hosting FLL based competitions
We hope your experience with STEM Academy program will be rewarding and memorable. We strive to promote student and parent involvement, student leadership, and student responsibility in an educational environment through participation, competition, and community involvement.
Should you have any questions feel free to contact me at 254.213.8880 or . Be sure to follow our calendar at
https://www.killeenisd.org/schoolsV2/index.cfm?navBarID=7669
Sincerely,
Dr. Sandra J. Melendez
STEM Coordinator
Robert M. Shoemaker High School
Table of Contents
Welcome…………………..…………………….………………….............................2
STEM Student Leadership Team…………………………………………………….4
STEM Student Leadership Team…………………………………………………….5
STEM Student Leadership Team…………………………………………………….6
STEM Meetings…………………………………….…………………………………..7
Student Expectations………………………………………………………………….7
Dues……………………………………………………………………………………..7
Student Responsibilities………………………………………………………………8
Academic Eligibility…………………………………………………………………….8
Uniforms………………………………………….…..…………………………………8
Transportation and Trips……………………….………………………………………9
Fundraising…………………………………….……………………………………….9
Awards and Recognition………………………………………………………………9
Volunteers and Mentors…………………………….…………………………..……10
Shoemaker KISD Sign Up...................................................................................11
Parent/Staff/Community Partnership Team………………………………………..13
STEM Student Forms…………………………………………………………………13
Student Handbook Acknowledgement Form……………………………………….13
Random Drug Testing Program/Form……………………………………………….14
Safety Contract………………………………………………………………………...20
Trip Permission Form…………………………………………………………….…...23
KISD Public Info Form……………………………………………………….………..24
STEM Leadership Team
The STEM Coach team will consist of the STEM Coordinator who will serve as the head coach, and any teachers who will be designated as Assistant Coaches. The Coach/Mentor works with his or her students by helping them to develop skills and to design and build a competitive robots and engineering projects. They guide teams through any issues they encounter, making them stronger in both their school and personal lives. They inspire students in ways far beyond science and technology and enable both students and adults to appreciate the value of sportsmanship, teamwork, and Gracious Professionalism® in a way that might not be possible otherwise.
STEM Coordinator and Head Coach, Dr. Melendez
254.213.8880
254.336.0900
Assistant Coach, Mr. Melvin
254.336.0900
Assistant Coach, Mr. Rudd
254.336.0900
STEM Student Leadership Team
The STEM Student Leadership Team will include Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Chief Executive Assistant (CEA), Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Chief Public Relations Records Officer (CPRO), and Chief Historian Officer (CHO) as the officers and Safety Manger (SM), Safety Animation Manger Inventory/Equipment Manager (EM), Electrical Manager (EM), Construction Manager (CM), Programming Manager (ProM) Spirit Manager (SM), Design Manager (DM), Football Robotics Manager (FRM), Documentation Manager (DocM), Field Elements Manager (FEM), Demonstration Manager (DemM), Legal Manager (LM), Scout Manager (SM), Mascot, Chairmans Manager (CM), Fundraising Manager (FM), Web Manager (WM), Notebook Manager (NM), Video Manager (VM), and Photography Manager (PM) as managers.
STEM Student Officers
CEO-Chief Executive Officer
Responsibilities include total quality management, creates agenda, and assists overall project management for organization and reports directly to the STEM coordinator.
CEA-Chief Executive Assistant
Responsibilities includes compiles inventory of materials and supplies, monitors uniform inventory and checkout, assist in scout team for competitions and reports directly to the STEM coordinator.
CFO-Chief Financial Officer
Responsibilities include Cyberwolves budget and business plan, all payable and receivable financials, dues, and fundraising and reports directly to the STEM coordinator.
CPRO-Chief Public Relations Officer
Responsibilities includes community outreach, posters, student bulletin board, website, public affairs and reports directly to the STEM coordinator.
CHO-Chief Historian Officer
Responsibilities include documentation student paperwork requirement, meeting minutes, competition’s notebook, and upload of information on STEM website and Twitter website.
STEM Student Managers
Safety Manager
Responsibilities include safety monitor.
Electrical Manager
Responsibilities include design and construct electrical wiring for robots and event displays.
Construction Manager
Responsibilities overall compliance with total quality project management of robots including scaled design drawing, modular construction, electrical and programming timing for robots and events displays.
Programming Manager
Responsibilities include design and construct programming for robots and event displays.
Spirit Manager
Responsibilities include develop spirit handouts, props and leadership at competitions and events.
Design Manager
Responsibilities include documenting the complete design process and providing, sketches and accurate scaled drawings for construction.
Field Element Manager
Responsibilities include coordination with construction manger on development of field elements.
Documentation Manager
Responsibilities include documenting uniform forms, field trip forms, drug forms, release forms and any other paperwork from students.
Mascot
Responsibilities include maintains team spirit and helps pass out spirit goods.
Web Manager
Responsibilities include maintaining current information on the STEM and Twitter web site.
Video Manager
Responsibilities include capturing and developing videos and presentation material.
Photographer Manager
Responsibilities include documenting through photography, uploading pictures, and delivering pictures to Web Manager for uploading to computer.
Legal Manager
Responsibilities includes keeping track of all rules of any competition.
Scout Manager
Responsibilities includes watching the opposing team during competition to see which team is best to pick for an ally in semi-finals.
Demonstration Manager
Responsibilities includes going to other campuses and demonstrating what we do in STEM.
Chairmans Manager
Oversees all task relating to chairman’s. Competitions essays, Dean’s list, Woody Flowers, notebook, video presentations, display, interview, and PowerPoint presentations.
Fundraising Manager
Responsibilities include coming up with fundraising ideas, looking over staff members in fundraising events, and reporting to CFO with money gained.
STEM Meetings
Staff meetings will be held every first Tuesday of every a new month after-school at 4:10 sharp. During build session, managers and officers will conduct their teams in their task. Meetings will be conducted prior to each project officers and managers are expected to communication reporting progress.
Student Expectations
Students are required to log in daily in the blue book to document hours for competitions. If a student cannot make it to a meeting and has a viable excuse, such as a doctor’s or dentist’s appointment, a written excuse is required. KISD sponsored extra-curricular activities qualify as excuses. Competitions will require different numbers of hours to be eligible to attend the event.
60 hours for BEST in six weeks
80 hours for FIRST in six weeks
Even with hours logged, students are not guaranteed to go to the competition and students going to the events will be will be determined by the STEM Coach Team. In addition, student dues must be current and paid in full.
Also, all students must be passing the UIL Grade Requirements set by Killeen ISD.
Robert M. Shoemaker High School, STEM Academy participates in the following competitions:
BEST- Boosting Engineering, Science, and Technology
FIRST- For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology
MATE- Marine Advanced Technology Education
VEX Robotics
FTC- FIRST Tech Challenge
TCEA- Texas Computer Educational Association
TSA- Technology Student Association
FLL- First Lego League
Dues
Competitions require minimum hours and specific responsibilities to attend. Students must participate in three competitions two of which must be BEST and FIRST to be a part of STEM. New students and transfer students membership rules will be modified according to the STEM Coordinator. Participation requires individual financial investment annual dues are $.00.
Dues cover the following:
BEST robotics meal $
BEST robotics t-shirt $ $ Due by Oct 1
FIRST robotics meals $
FIRST shirt $ $ Due by Jan 30
supplies/ expenses $ $ Due by March 1
Total $
Freshmen are required to purchase the STEM lab coat for approximately $.00. All dues must be paid to the Shoemaker High School cashier and can be paid in full with cash, check, or credit card.
Student Responsibilities
Students are to monitor the STEM bulletin and calendar on the STEM web page for daily activities, events and meetings as required. Students are expected to treat all equipment and uniforms with respect and care. Intentional damage of theft of STEM equipment will result in disciplinary action.
Students are expected to use appropriate language at all times, and treat all adults and sponsors with respect. The use of profanity and vulgar language as well as the acts of fighting or harassment are prohibited. Students are expected to follow the KISD student code of conduct at all times. STEM Students are expected to treat school employees, parent and community volunteers, student leaders with courtesy and respect. Students are also expected to take pride and personal responsibility for their own success in STEM. If a student needs equipment, supplies, or other items, they must requisition the appropriate STEM student department manager.
Students in STEM are expected to display exemplary behavior at all times. Students with disciplinary issues will be reviewed by the STEM Coach Team and high school administration.
Academic Eligibility
Students are required to maintain passing grades in all classes in order to maintain their full-time participation status in competitions. Students who become academically ineligible will be placed on watch and will not be able to participate in the events. It is the student’s responsibility to apply for waivers for academic eligibility a week before the events.
Uniforms
Uniforms worn by students will vary depending upon the occasion. A full uniform includes camo pants, fatigue cap, and designated shirt, will be required for all events unless otherwise specified. Since the uniforms for BEST vary depending on the theme, the uniforms will be decided by the STEM Coordinator prior to the event. KISD dress code will be enforced at all times. Uniforms should be worn properly unless permission otherwise is granted by a coach. Camo pants and fatigue caps will be issued to students and will be turned in at the end of the year. Closed-toed shoes and safety glasses are required for all students at all events. Students will incur a $40 fee if uniforms are not returned at the end of the year.
Transportation and Trips
Transportation is provided to events by KISD and required for all students unless otherwise cleared by a coach. Prior arrangements require a written notice for any parents wanting to take their student home early. On overnight trips, students will be assigned four students to one room. Rooms will have 2 at least full-sized beds. Special considerations for sleeping arrangements must be taken up with the head coach.
Fundraising
STEM students may participate in fundraising. If so, activities will be announced as they are planned.
Awards and Recognition
Jacket Requirements
Students in STEM will have the opportunity to receive recognition for their efforts. Students who qualify may earn letter jacket patches, award certificates, and other awards. An awards ceremony is held every year to recognize students for their accomplishments. Students may earn a Cyberwolves patch by participating in two competitions in a year. The STEM patch is awarded to a student for being on honor roll for the year. Patches for specific competitions may be awarded to students in those competitions. The Letter Jackets will have to be purchased by the students, with a few expectations. A certificate will be rewarded to the Cyberwolf of the month and student of the year will be determined based on time on task, overall performance and commitment to the program.
STEM CORD Requirements
4 year plan requirements for STEM cords for graduation.
STEM SCIENCE:
4 years PAP/AP/D Science
2 additional PAP/AP/D
1 Engineering class 1 EDPS course recommended in senior year**
STEM ENGINEERING:
4 year engineering
2 additional PAP/AP/D Math or Science
Students taking IED/ DE & POE prior to Junior Year receive 1 additional Technology applications credit. Must be in this coherent sequence.*
STEM MATH:
4 years PAP/AP/D Math
2 additional PAP/AP/D classes
1 Engineering class 1 EDPS course recommended in senior year*
Students have the option of taking one of two Engineering classes to satisfy the 4th Science requirement in addition to the Engineering requirement.
*6521 EDPS- Engineering Design and Problem Solving
If it is a student’s goal to receive a STEM cord at graduation and you have not yet enrolled in an Engineering class. Please email me or complete a course request the counselor’s office.
Seniors can also select from the following courses to satisfy STEM Cord requirement
.Engineering selection guide:
7551 AE - Aerospace Engineering
6502 POE – Principles of Engineering
5202 IED- Introduction to Engineering Design and Development
5203 DE- Digital Electronics
*6521 EDPS- Engineering Design and Problem Solving 4th science
Robotics & Automation
Volunteers and Mentors
KISD goal of volunteers is to provide schools coordination, technical assistance, and planning support in program implementation resulting in effective parental involvement activities that support increased student academic achievement in all core subject areas, and promoting healthy eating and lifestyles.
Parents do not have authority to direct the duties of a school district employee. The scheduling of contests, rules for participation, methods of earning letters and all other criteria dealing with inter-school programs are under the jurisdiction of the local school administration.
They following guidelines are provided by the state of Texas and parents are reminded that the classroom comes first.
· Help conduct fair and equitable competition, adhere to rules, uphold the law and respect authority.
· Remember that officials are human. Respect their decisions.
· Delegate authority to the school, then support its decisions.
· Set standards by which you expect children to conduct themselves, and live by those standards yourself.
· Be aware of the capabilities and limitations of young people. Don’t have unrealistic expectations.
· Show respect to the opponents of your children.
· Praise. Don’t criticize. Urge others to do the same.
· Help your children and their friends develop integrity through the intensity of competitive activity.
· Work with the STEM Coordinator.
· Clear all activities through your STEM Coordinator.
The role of a parents and the community volunteering is to support and implement STEM Academy program goals including guidelines implemented by the STEM Coordinator/ Head coach and Assistant coach.
Parent and community volunteers are appreciated and encourage all volunteers must apply through district web site at Killeenisd.org attached please find directions.
Shoemaker High School
KISD Volunteer Sign Up