STEM: To Experience and to Understand
Story appeared in the 2013 issue of QMS Connections Magazine.
BY LEANNE SCHULTZ, OPERATIONS & HR MANAGER
Increasing knowledge of and engagement with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) has been brought to the forefront of educational reforms in North America in an effort to better prepare students for the challenges of the global economy and to push the boundaries of innovation.
Hannah Jedrysiak, Anna Keussen and Ilenia Perissinotto examine a horse hoof in QMS’s unique Equine Sciences class
Research studies note girls interested in STEM want to understand how things work, solve problems, do hands-on activities, ask questions and collaborate. Through learning that takes place within the classroom, as well as opportunities that exist outside the classroom, students want to experience how scientists, mathematicians and engineers apply what they have learned in their studies to real world problems.
Science and Technology Department Head Ms. Nicole Lorusso believes “STEM subjects open doors to new realities and offer opportunities to experience and understand our world beyond the limits of what we can see and touch on its surface.” This philosophy, “to experience and under-stand,” informs the practice of the STEM faculty. Program highlights that demonstrate this philosophy include: • Work with the Cowichan Green Community by the Biology 11 class to develop sustainability initiatives at QMS including an effective on composting program
• Travel to Playland to learn about the real world applications of physics to amusement park rides by Senior Physics students
• Incubation and then release of salmon into a local river by the Science 9 class
• Participation in the Streamkeepers Program with the focus being stewardship
Students also travelled around Vancouver Island in pursuit of scientific learning attending both the UVIC Ocean Science Symposium and the UVIC Engineering Day.
The strength of the STEM program at QMS has also inspired students to explore areas of interest through internationally renowned summer programs.
Encouraged by her Physics teacher, Head Girl Allana Gerke successfully applied to the Quantum Cryptography School for Young Students (QCSYS), at Waterloo University in the summer of 2012. “It was a phenomenal experience that really challenged me to understand the advanced concepts of quantum mechanics and in doing so, stretched my mind.”
With the support of her teachers, Grade 11 student Alice Young was accepted to the International Summer School for Young Physicists (ISSYP), a program that includes lectures and keynote sessions on theoretical physics at the Perimeter Institute, and a day trip to the SNOLab International Underground Science Facility.
Alice’s second adventure of the summer will also take her to the Quantum Cryptography School for Young Students (QCSYS) at the University of Waterloo. Alice credits the STEM program and mentoring by faculty as being pivotal in the doors that have been opened for her. As Alice notes, “Without the support and in-credible teaching at Queen Margaret’s School I may never have established my interest in the field of physics and even if I had, I would likely never have had the confidence to step out of my comfort zone to apply for such amazing opportunities”.
Left: Lynn Wheeler and Sydney McCrae in Grade 9 science.
Right: Wan Xian with a few of her Speech Day awards
STEM: To Succeed
Engagement in STEM and student success goes hand-in-hand at QMS, and the STEM program continues to generate a growing body of actively engaged students who pursue this path in their post secondary studies. The strength of this programming focus is demonstrated by the recent number of Governor General’s Academic Medals awarded to STEM students. Lord Dufferin, Canada’s 3rd Governor General, created the Academic Medals in 1873 to encourage academic excellence and recognize outstanding scholastic achievement. The Medal is presented to the graduating student with the highest grade point average. Over the years, The Governor General’s Medal has be-come the most prestigious award that students in Canadian schools can achieve.
Mr. Roddy Craig likes to shake things up in Chemistry class!
For the past three years, the Governor General’s Academic Medal has been presented to a student pursuing studies in STEM.
June 2011
Tiana Ng is currently enrolled in the Master of Pharmacy Program at King’s College, London. Tiana notes, “The opportunity to explore all three science courses at QMS, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics, and take Calculus, was really helpful.”
June 2012
Emilie Carpentier, currently enrolled in the Department of Physics at Queens University, is considering a career in medical physics. Emilie credits the faculty of the QMS STEM program as being instrumental in her decision to pursue physics. “My teachers made classes interesting and interactive by encouraging me to ask questions and relate the concepts I learned to life outside the classroom.”
June 2013
Wan Xian Koh will be pursuing a degree in Biochemistry at the University of Toronto. When asked how the STEM program supported her future post secondary goals, Wan Xian explained, "In addition to reinforcing the concepts, the emphasis placed on interesting and relatable chemical lab experiments brought chemistry into the real world. I became aware of the relevance of chemistry in everyday life and how knowledge of chemical processes can be used to improve the quality of living."