Secondary News and Updates (03/29/24)

Please take a moment to check the STEM All-Events Calendar on our website.

There are lots of events already scheduled so please take a moment to take a look at the calendar to familiarize yourself with some of the events at the start of school. This calendar will continue to be updated throughout the summer as we get closer to the start of school.

Tuesday, April 2, from 3:15-4 p.m – HS Commons

Calling all students in grades 6-12! Join us for the Student Forum/Information Session on Tuesday, April 2, from 3:15-4 p.m. in the High School Commons. This is your opportunity to learn more about what’s happening at STEM and get to know our STEM Administration Team. This event is organized by our Student Advisory Council.

Tuesday, April 2, from 5:30-7 p.m. – Mechatronics Lab in P-TECH/KOSON Building & Zoom

The KOSON/STEM Board of Directors will be holding its Monthly Meeting on Tuesday, April 2, from 5:30-7 p.m. in person and via Zoom.  The BOD is comprised of parents and community members who volunteer their time. The Board’s role and purpose is to provide oversight of the KOSON Schools Chief Innovation Officer, who implements the policies set forth by the Board. The Board also provides support and direction for STEM’s long-term vision and mission. Additionally, the Board is active in making sure that KOSON Schools remains in compliance with all DCSD, state and federal compliance requirements, as well as STEM School Highlands Ranch’s Charter Contract.

Meetings are open to anyone to attend. Anyone who would like to address the Board Members must sign-up in advance by completing the Public Comment Form no later than 12 p.m. the day of each Board meeting. If written testimony or a handout is submitted, presenters are asked to supply one (1) copy via email to communications@stemk12.org.

The class of 2024 Senior Yard Signs are IN!! Seniors- pick yours up in the secondary office beginning on Monday, April 1. If you are off campus, you can have your parent(s) pick up your sign! Thanks to the PTO for keeping this tradition going! Way to go Class of 2024!!

Clover’s Closet, is an organization that provides free formal attire for students attending Prom. They are organizing a pop-up event in Downtown Castle Rock, where students can come and shop for free. This year, they are hosting their 6th Prom event and are excited to offer a wide range of inventory. See the flier via the button below.

Tuesday, April 16, from 4-7 p.m.

There will be a Volunteer Fair at the Southridge Rec Center on Tuesday, April 16, from 4-7 p.m. This free-to-attend fair is a great chance for teens and adults to find fulfilling volunteer opportunities right here in our neck of the woods! Check out the flier via the button below.

CMAS testing for 3rd – 8th and 11th graders will occur starting Tuesday, April 2. CMAS is the state assessment given to all students in these grades to measure academic success every spring. As you look forward to the spring, please make sure all appointments, vacations, etc, are scheduled OUTSIDE of the CMAS testing window (4/2 – 4/18) if you have a student in these grades. Also, please try to be on time so testing can start as planned.

Additional information regarding CMAS can be found on our website under state-mandated assessments.

If you would like to opt your student out, please follow the instructions on the website as soon as possible. If you want to discuss what it means to opt-out your student or have any questions regarding CMAS, please contact Julie Adamek at julie.adamek@stemk12.org.

July 1-August 9, 2024 – New York City

GSTEM is an NYU summer research program for talented high school juniors interested in STEM. Founded and sponsored by the world-renowned Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, GSTEM offers opportunities for an incredible summer. Our mission is to support those historically underrepresented in STEM including girls and other minorities. Application is open and early deadline is March 15. Final deadline is April 15.

The Youth Activation Committee (YAC) for the Colorado Special Olympics is excited to spread the word about inclusion and any events or fundraisers for our Special Olympians. Below are two upcoming opportunities.

One opportunity is an Open House for anyone who is interested in joining the YAC. It will take place on Sunday, April 21, from 1-3 p.m. at the Celebrity Lanes off of Arapahoe Road. Click the button below for more information.

Another opportunity that YAC offers is the Polar Plunge & 5K in Aurora on Saturday, April 6. Click the button below for more information.

Each year (Jan-Feb) the Denver Explorer Program connects high school students (interested in a possible STEM career) with STEM organizations. Each week (Jan-Feb) during the STEM Explorer Program, a different company/agency gives a presentation/lab to high school students on STEM careers in their respective organizations. Previous presenting organizations include Lockheed, CO School of Mines, A&E firms, and Forest Service, among others. Click the button below for more information.

The Experiment Digital Leadership in STEM prepares participants to be more civically engaged and lead change. This fully funded six-week summer virtual experience teaches high school students to formulate and implement STEM projects in their local communities. The Experiment Digital is designed to connect hundreds of young people across the United States, Middle East, and North Africa (MENA) region.

Our application to the 2024 Experiment Digital program is now OPEN! To learn more about our program, click here. Spaces are starting to fill, so be sure to share the application with your students. Students and parents/guardians can apply by clicking here! Final admissions deadline: May 13, 2024

Read and share our program flyer here.

If you have any questions, feel free to reply to this email or reach out at: digital@experiment.org. We’d love to see your students at The Experiment Digital! Click here to visit the website.

Are you looking for something to do over the summer? Below are a few ideas to get you started. The following organizations are currently taking applications for their summer programs.

• The Aerospace States Association and Colorado Space Business Roundtable Aerospace Summer Internship Program is currently accepting applications for their Summer Internship program. For more information, visit their website: ASA/ CSBR Summer Internship Program
• UC Denver, GenCyber Summer Camp – Application is currently open for the free online program being held July 15-19.
• Colorado Health Careers Academy (CHCA) in conjunction with ACC and other healthcare partners are hosting a summer program for students to explore health careers. Information sessions are available through May. If you are interested in a career in healthcare, click here to learn more.
• CU Science Discovery is offering summer classes for high school students at their CU Boulder and CU Anschutz locations. Programming includes Aerospace, Biotech, Computer Science, Forensics, Neuroscience, Biomed Research, Medical Student Experience and more! Summer Scholarships are available. Learn more on the CU Discovery website.

As a reminder, you can continue earning college credit by taking a course through one of our partner institutions. Please reach out to Nicole Ryan at nicole.ryan@stemk12.org with questions. Registration for Arapahoe Community College opens March 11th for Summer and Fall courses.