BRIDGE to FUTURE | Maryland Gazette (HometownGlenBurnie.com)

This week, more than 20 teens were sitting in two different classrooms at the Center for Applied Technology North in Severn.

One group was examining animal skulls and determining things like whether the animals were carnivores, while the others were wiring circuits.

"This gives them a wide range of experiences not only in the classroom but outside the classroom. Opportunities that they normally wouldn't have," said Kathy Chow, environmental resources teacher.

The teens took part in a summer bridge portion of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics program being launched at North County High School next month. The students will be the first freshmen in the system and have been involved in pioneering the program since they were accepted in February.

What began as monthly meetings between family and engineers from Northrup Grumman and scientists from University of Maryland, Baltimore County and Anne Arundel Community College has progressed to a hands-on mode this summer.

"We are engaging these new ninth-graders in many high tech experiences and STEM rich experiences that few high school students would receive until college," said Dr. Maureen McMahon who heads the program.

STEM-industry heads say young professionals lack hands-on, applied experience and this program aims to curb that, Dr. McMahon said.

"What we are trying to do in these summer bridges is link education with application.It really answers the question 'So What?'" said Dr. McMahon. "We are saying here it is, it's exciting and it can be your career."

There are four summer STEM camps this year, each with 20 to 25 student focusing on the four areas of study: robotics, electricity, environmental resources and computer assisted drawing. Each session lasts two weeks.

First up was robotics, where students worked with faculty from UMBC in using LEGO Mindstorms kits to build and program their own robots. In electricity students are exploring electricity and magnetism.

For the last two weeks, students in the environmental resources portion focused on the ecosystem of the Chesapeake Bay water system. Students worked with Arlington Echo, evaluating and collecting field samples.

Students also worked with global positioning systems and global information systems technology to compile and catalog information about the watershed.

"This is cutting-edge technology that we are again putting in the hands of these new ninth graders," said Dr. McMahon.

In electricity, students have been exploring electricity and magnetism over the last two weeks. They wired circuits, learned about power, voltage, current and resistance.

Starting Monday, students in computer assisted drawing the students will learn drafting and drawing techniques, blue print reading and geometric construction. They will do architectural layouts of floor plans and elevation drawings of buildings.

The plan is for the students to participate in an application-oriented bridge every summer they are in the program.

"We start here in ninth grade with the fundamentals and by the time they are in junior or senior year we see them in the industry and in higher education working and collaboration on projects," Dr. McMahon said.

When classes begin at the end of August, 90 students will start at North County High in what Dr. McMahon referred to as a school-within-a-school setting. UMBC and AACC are helping get it off the ground with in school and after school programs.

The students come from all over the northern part of the county and will be transported from consolidated bus stops within their communities. In practice, it will resemble what is done for International Baccalaureate program, Dr. McMahon said.

This is the first STEM magnet school in the county but in 2009 there are plans for another to be installed at South River High School.

The program will be staffed by 12 teachers who have been working on the curriculum for over a year.

"Everything is going smoothly right now and we are looking forward to opening the school with a full compliment of teachers, students and their families on board," Dr. McMahon said.