STEM 6th grader Anirudh Rao recognized as 2024 Carson scholar and EXPLR National Champion
A double congratulations to STEM 6th grader Anirudh Rao! He’s been selected as a 2024 Carson Scholar and he’s also been named as an EXPLR National STEM Champion.
EXPLR announced that title for 126 student students nationwide. These students will be recognized at the first-ever National STEM Festival in Washington, D.C., co-presented by EXPLR and the U.S. Department of Education.
Each student and a guardian will receive an expense-paid trip, including lodging and travel, to attend the Festival and showcase their projects from April 12-13, 2024. In addition, each National STEM Champion will receive free access to EXPLR’s educational streaming video and curriculum platform for the teacher of their choice.
The National STEM Challenge invited students in grades 6-12 from across the U.S. and its territories to conceive and submit STEM innovations, inventions, and research across six categories: Environmental Stewardship, Future Food, Health and Medicine, Powering the Planet, Space Innovation, and Tech for Good.
During the National STEM Festival, students will showcase their projects to top government and corporate leaders, as well as network with other exceptional students from around the country.
“Congratulations to all the students selected as National STEM Champions! EXPLR created the National STEM Challenge as a way to celebrate the nation’s top young innovators. We found students who are dynamic leaders who created projects that can truly change the world. I’m thrilled to welcome our STEM Champions to the National STEM Festival this spring,” said EXPLR Founder & CEO and National STEM Challenge Co-Director Jenny Buccos.
With the Carson Scholarship, Anirudh will receive a $1,000 scholarship award that will be invested for his college education. In addition to the scholarship money, he will receive a medal and a certificate. STEM will also receive a trophy in honor of the accomplishment.
Anirudh was chosen because he demonstrates the highest standards of academic achievement, integrity, and civic and social responsibility.
Announcement link: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/explr-announces-top-student-innovators-named-first-ever-national-stem-champions-302059984.html
Link to NBC Nightly feature: https://youtu.be/beTEeD9GqGk?si=QtMi-Z98HFcUBpKL&t=403
STEM students advance to DECA Nationals in Anaheim in April
STEM Student Spotlight!
Braden Calme and Harman Saron are going to be representing STEM on the national stage in the upcoming DECA National Competition in Anaheim, CA this April.
Check out their spotlight interview where they talk about their business concept that helped them advance. Their idea is to create a company that promotes frisbee golf while contributing to the environment. Best of luck Braden and Harman at nationals!
Three sophomores reflect on attending STEM since 3rd grade
“It’s like home to me”
STEM Sophomores Rehan Chaudhari, Thomas Lewis and Shanmukha Ragampudi have all been attending STEM since 3rd grade. Over the years, the three have become close friends. They sat down to share their story and what it’s like to be in the same building where they attended elementary, middle and high school.
Being a K-12 charter school, many STEM students develop strong connections over time and often times the friendships they form last well beyond graduation.
Thank you Rehan, Thomas and Shanmukha for talking about your STEM journey and we are proud of your accomplishments and to have you as STEM Spartans!
March is Women's History Month
Did you know that March is Women’s History Month?
Every year, March is designated Women’s History Month by presidential proclamation. The month is set aside to honor women’s contributions in American history.
Women’s History Month actually started as Women’s History Week .
The recognized month began as a local celebration in Santa Rosa, California. The Education Task Force of the Sonoma County (California) Commission on the Status of Women planned and executed a “Women’s History Week” celebration in 1978. The organizers selected the week of March 8 to correspond with International Women’s Day. The movement spread across the country as other communities initiated their own Women’s History Week celebrations the following year.
In 1980, a consortium of women’s groups and historians—led by the National Women’s History Project (now the National Women’s History Alliance)—successfully lobbied for national recognition. In February 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the Week of March 8th 1980 as National Women’s History Week.
Here’s to you STEM ladies!
STEM 6th and 8th grade art students take on colorful projects
Amazing art!
The artwork that is bright-colored and in a circular pattern is 6th grade “Drawing with Scissors” focusing on shape, color and positive and negative space. Works are inspired a Henri Matisse paper cutout.
The artwork with the bright green is an 8th grade coloring mixing unit. Students created a collage that had to have balance, variety contrast and unity, then replicated the collage using acrylic paint. The size is 5×5.
Great job students and thank you to Ms. Devitt for sharing!
STEM Secondary PE teacher is training for an ultramarathon
STEM Staff Spotlight!
James Hitch is a Secondary PE teacher at STEM. He’s also in the middle of training for an ultramarathon where he will be running for 50 miles!
An ultramarathon, often simply referred to as an “ultra,” is a footrace or running event that goes beyond the traditional marathon distance of 26.2 miles (42.195 kilometers).
Ultramarathons can vary greatly in terms of distance, but they typically start at distances longer than the marathon and can range from 50 kilometers (31.07 miles) to several hundred miles. Some common ultramarathon distances include 50k, 50 miles, 100k, 100 miles, and even longer races.
These races can take place on various terrains, including trails, mountains, deserts, and roads. Ultramarathons present significant physical and mental challenges, requiring endurance, stamina, and careful pacing. Participants often need to deal with changes in elevation, unpredictable weather conditions, and prolonged periods of running.
Best of luck to Mr. Hitch and thank you for sharing what goes into the training of an ultramarathon!
STEM's 6th grade boys basketball team advances to finals
Heading to the finals!
STEM’s 6th grade boys basketball team won *both* of their playoff games this past weekend. They will be playing their final game this Saturday at 1 p.m. at Northridge. The team had an amazing season and it would be great to see a nice turnout in the stands for the big finale!
The team is coached by two STEM parents, Robin Alex and Jack Kozlowski. A parent who emailed us about the team’s progress says the group has really come together as a team on the court this year. Way to go Spartans!
STEM team makes headlines for advancing to nationals in Samsung competition
In case you missed it, STEM’s Samsung ‘Solve For Tomorrow’ team made the news recently for advancing to the national competition. The “Rubber Duckies” team came up with a device that alerts drivers to wildlife on the roadway. As the team has advanced along the way, they have already earned thousands of dollars in Samsung merchandise that will be used at the school. Until the national competition, the team is focused on continuing to test their innovative gadget and get it ready for the national stage!