A.G.E. Islamic School - New Horizons in Islamic Education

S T E M

Indicator ST1.11 Narratives

ST1.11 Students are supported in their STEM learning through adult-world connections and extended day opportunities.

What were the areas of strength noted in the Self Assessment?

The STEM team has concluded that most students participate in an age-appropriate formal program of mentorship, apprenticeship, and research with researchers, business/industry, or other community members that supports their STEM education.The Academy of Greatness and Excellence seeks to encourage the interest of all its students in STEM learning by giving experiences in adult-word connections and extended day opportunities. As the school has been mainly serving early elementary students, opportunities to make these connections have been provided through events such as the Annual Career Day. During Career Day, members of the AGE community give students exposure into their daily careers. In last year’s Career Day students were able to meet and discuss individuals from various different career paths, including the sciences. Students heard presentations from physicians, pharmacists, and IT specialists. As a means to expose students to career paths that their STEM education can lead them to, planners seek to have more extensive inclusion of community members from STEM- related career fields such as the fields of engineering, [TQ1] architecture[TQ2] , mathematics and science research[TQ3] .

This is the first year in which there is a presence of middle school students and it is for this reason that the programs for internships, research, and job shadowing have been limited. The school seeks to establish a strong STEM education system for all of its students. It is with this in mind that we have begun to build relationships with the wider community to enhance student’s experiences in STEM education. Our first step to achieve this has been through establishing a partnership with the City University of New York. Students have participated in the Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP). The program exposes students to college coursework in physics, biology, computer science and engineering..

AGE STEM Programs:

Many STEM events are held at the school throughout the school year to encourage participation of all students. In addition to school events, AGE Summer Camp, is a STEM based summer program that contains many science activities and field trips. It has been noted that many students show a high level of enthusiasm to participate in STEM related events. The AGE STEM events have a strong presence on social media. The AGE Facebook Page highlights all school events on a weekly basis.

The Outreach

AGE Financial Aid: is provided to families that cannot afford to pay monthly tuition. Being a private school, it is understood that the financially challenged segment of the community will not be able to participate in the educational programs. Hence, the school provides financial assistance depending on the income and needs of underrepresented financially challenged families.

Syrian Refugee Grant - AGE is currently recruiting refugee students into all classes. They will be offered a 100% cost free education which includes registration, books, uniform, tuition and lunch.

Orphan Scholarship: Children who have lost either their father or both parents are being offered scholarships at AGE. Girls are the main focus for this initiative.

AGE STEM Grant: Motivates Muslim girls who are underrepresented in the community AGE takes pride in having girls as 60% of their student population. Our math and science competitions see a high number of female participants.