Tennessee State University News April 1, 2011 College of Engineering Adopts New STEM-based Charter School to Open this Fall 2011 The College of Engineering, Technology & Computer Science participated in the Inaugural Community Celebration and Admissions Ceremony of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) Preparatory Academy last week, Middle Tennessee's first STEM charter school. The event drew more than 400 new students, parents, community activists, and elected officials to the event held at the Adventure Science Center, the partnering institution. More than 10 engineering students participated in the event as hosts and chaperones, and will be actively engaged with the middle school through tutoring, projects, and community service starting this Fall. STEM Prep Academy is Middle Tennessee's first public charter STEM school committed to delivering a college preparatory education for grades five through eight with an integrated curricular focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Its integrated curriculum that infuses STEM learning and real-world applications in both the STEM fields and entrepreneurship is unprecedented, says Dr. Kristen McGraner, the founder and Executive Director. Dr. S. Keith Hargrove, dean of the College of Engineering, Technology & Computer Science at TSU, is equally excited about the school and its potential. "I believe the solution to increasing the pipeline of STEM professionals for tomorrow's workforce...begins with improving K12 with how we teach, what we teach, and the engagement of higher education." Hargrove serves as a board member for STEM Prep Academy, and is committed to supporting the academic achievement and success of the new innovative school. Students from the College of Engineering will volunteer and work with the school in tutoring and specials projects. STEM Prep Academy and the College of Engineering have also collaborated on several proposals to prepare teachers and for curriculum development. The school will open its doors in South Nashville in July 2011 to 100 fifth grade students, growing a grade each year, and serving 400 students in grades five through eight by 2014. STEM Prep Academy is a free, public charter school serving students who are zoned to persistently low-performing schools and is part of the growing charter school movement supported locally and state-wide. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Program Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 404.592.4820 Skype:sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree Street NW Suite 200 Atlanta, GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (Lyrasis) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.