Middle School

New Level of Learning…

As your child grows, they are learning more and more about the world around them and their role within it. The programs in this section are designed to give your child a chance to move beyond the more basic elementary programs and begin to see their own true potential.
Taking the Next Steps in STEM

GET ON THE “MATH PATH!”

Acceptance at a Maryland public college requires student applicants to have four high school credits of mathematics, including Algebra II. However, your youngster will be more successful in college if he or she has taken some form of calculus in high school. That path to success starts with 6th grade math. Have a conversation with your child’s teacher or guidance counselor about the best path.

INVESTIGATE HIGH SCHOOL OPPORTUNITIES

Harford and Cecil County Public Schools each offer focused instructional opportunities at the high school level for students interested in pursuing STEM careers. For more information, please visit the following:

• Cecil County School of Technology – Through special collaborative agreements between Cecil County Public Schools and Cecil College, eligible students can be involved in advanced studies in science and mathematics At the same time, they can earn as many as 18 college credits while in high school. Courses will be taken at both the local high school and Cecil College. To be eligible for the STEM Academy, students must be enrolled in Geometry or higher mathematics in the eighth grade. In order to continue at Cecil College and be eligible for tuition reductions, students must meet and complete established admission criteria.
• Harford County Public Schools Magnet Programs – The Science and Mathematics Academy at Aberdeen High School is a school-within-a school magnet program that provides academically talented students with educational experiences that integrate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics beyond traditional advanced programs. Admission to this rigorous four year program is by competitive application based on prior academic success, interest and motivation in science and mathematics, teacher recommendations and written communication skills. Each year hundreds of students apply for the 55 seats in the freshman class. Entering students must be ready for Algebra II as an entry level mathematics class, having completed courses in Algebra I and geometry prior to high school.

STEM Activities at Your Child’s School…

Some of the types of STEM programs offered at local Elementary and Middle schools include:

• • • First in Math
    • Family Math Nights
    • Chess Clubs
    • Lego Clubs
    • Math Olympiads
    • The Exploravision contest
    • FIRST Lego League
    • STEM Superstar Program

These activities will greatly improve your child’s enthusiasm in math and science. Please contact your child’s school to see what is available.

Your Local Library Branch…

The Harford County Public Library and Cecil County Public Library offer various STEM programs for kids of all ages.

The Harford County Public Library has designed the LEAP Program, a series of fun, free, educational programming and equipment kits to enhance interest and competence in STEM fields. Program details and contact information regarding the LEAP Program can be found here.

The Cecil County Public Library also offers STEM activities and classes for children and families. To find out upcoming events at the CCPL, click here. (Hint: use keyword “STEM” to narrow your search for related events).

More STEM Programs In the Community…

Clubs such as the Boys and Girls Club, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts are not specifically geared towards STEM, but offer STEM activities for kids who are interested.

Harford Community College offers non-credit classes for children in engineering and computers.

The following programs are also available in our area:

• • Destination Imagination
  • 4H Youth Development
  • Civil Air Patrol (ages 12+)
  • Wildlife Adventures

Online STEM Activities…

Many national and local organizations have websites for children that provide fun and educational activities, games, videos and more. Check out some of the following sites for STEM activities your child can participate in from home.

• • The NASA Kids’ Club
  • National Science Center Kid Zone
  • PBS KIDS Lab
  • Science Kids
  • STEM-Works
  • Funology
  • Extreme Science
  • Smithsonian Institute

Local, Regional, and National Competitions…

Math

Math Olympiads – Your school’s math club meets weekly for an hour. Club members explore a topic or strategy in depth, or they practice for the contests. The highlights for students are the five monthly contests, given from November to March. No traveling is required. These contests provide an incentive for students to intensify their study of math.
Grades: 4-8
Cost: $99 per team

MathCounts Competition Program – A national middle school coaching and competitive mathematics program that promotes mathematics achievement through a series of fun and engaging “bee” style contests.
Grades: 6-8
Cost: $100 per team; $30 per individual

Technology

National STEM Video Game Challenge – Middle and high school youth are encouraged to submit their original game designs for the opportunity to earn recognition and prizes for themselves, as well as monetary prizes for their school!
Grades: 5+
Cost: Free

ExploraVision – A science competition that encourages teachers to make science a part of their curriculum. Groups of 2 – 4 students simulate real research and development. Students study a technology of interest and predict what that technology might be like 20 years from now. Teams will explore what is necessary to make their visions a reality. Past winners have envisioned technologies ranging from a self-cleaning toilet to a new method of treating diabetes.
Grades: K-12
Cost: N/A

eCYBERMISSION – In this web-based STEM competition, students compete for regional and national awards while working to solve problems in the community.
Grades: 6-9
Cost: Free

Engineering

Maryland Engineering Challenge – Hosted by the Baltimore Museum of Industry, the mission of the is challenge is to introduce students in grades 1 to 12 to the role of engineers in today’s society and connect what students learn in school with real-world engineering concepts. There are competitions designed specifically for Elementary, Middle, and High School students.
Grades: K-12
Cost: $5 coaches fee

Six Flags America Roller Coaster Design Contest – Teams build roller coaster models built of materials that include wood, wire, string, or other low cost items.
Grades: 5-8 and 9-12
Cost: N/A

Lexus Eco Challenge – The Lexus Eco Challenge is a life-changing opportunity for teens across the nation to make a difference in the environmental health of our planet, one community at a time.
Grades: 6-12
Cost: Free

Team America Rocketry Challenge – Teams design, build and fly a model rocket that reaches a specific altitude and duration determined by a set of rules developed each year.
Grades: 7-12
Cost: Free

Junior FIRST LEGO League (Jr.FLL) – This program features a real-world scientific concept to be explored through research, teamwork, construction, and imagination. Guided by adult Coaches, teams use LEGO® bricks to guild a model that moves and develop a Show-Me Poster to illustrate their journey.
Ages: 6-9
Cost: $50 per team

FIRST LEGO League (FLL) -This program introduces younger students to real-world engineering challenges by building LEGO-based robots to complete tasks on a thematic playing surface. FLL teams, guided by their imaginations and adult coaches, discover exciting career possibilities and, through the process, learn to make positive contributions to society.
Ages: 9-14
Cost: $700 per a team of up to 10 students

Check out the following STEM Summer Camps: