Spring-Ford HS Picked for Google-Backed Grant

This press release was provided by Spring-Ford Area School District.

Spring-Ford Area Senior High School has been selected to participate in the brand-new STEM Access program — an innovative initiative created to increase the number of traditionally underrepresented minority and female high school students that participate in Advanced Placement courses in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) disciplines.

A $5 million Google Global Impact Award to DonorsChoose.org will make it possible for the high school to start a new AP Environmental Science class and encourage traditionally underrepresented minority (black/African American, Hispanic/Latino and American Indian/Alaska Native) and female students who demonstrate strong academic potential to enroll and explore these areas of study and related careers. The new course will add to the more than half dozen AP courses offered at Spring-Ford Area Senior High School that are part of a STEM program. Currently, 277 students — 119 females and 158 males — are enrolled in STEM courses at Spring-Ford.

Announced in December 2012, the AP STEM Access program has met its goal to start more than 500 new math and science courses around the country by fall 2013, which will give an estimated 10,000 students the opportunity to study college-level STEM coursework for the first time. The AP Program offers willing and academically prepared high school students the opportunity to study at the college level, enabling them to develop the critical thinking skills necessary for college success.

The program will provide about $7,100 in funding to support the creation of the class, professional development, classroom materials and other associated expenses. To date, 26 students have signed up for the new class.

Principal Patrick Nugent said the funding will help the high school add to its expansive AP offerings and will help students acquire the necessary skills they need for college and beyond.

“This is an outstanding opportunity for Spring-Ford students because it provides an additional course where they can explore their interests in the STEM program,” Nugent said.

Spring-Ford was chosen for the initiative because it has underrepresented students that were academically prepared for an AP STEM course not currently offered at the school. During the 2010-11 academic year, the high school had 10 or more black/African American, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian/Alaska Native students and/or 25 or more female students  with high potential to be successful in one or more AP STEM courses that were not offered in the school. For this criterion, high AP potential was defined as a 60 percent or higher likelihood of scoring a 3, 4 or 5 on the AP Exam as predicted by the student’s performance on specific sections of the PSAT/NMQST (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.)

Superintendent of Schools Dr. David Goodin lauded the impressive program, stating that it will be a crucial resource and tool that will allow students to continue their academic endeavors.

“Spring-Ford is focused on offering its students a thorough selection of STEM courses because the evolving and changing professional world requires those who are well-versed in 21st century skills,” Goodin said.

The funding for this AP STEM Access program was awarded by Google to DonorsChoose.org with a $5 million grant as part Google’s new Global Impact Awards, which provide support to organizations using technology and innovative approaches to tackle some of the world’s toughest human challenges.

For additional information about the program, visit www.collegeboard.org/apstem.