stem Trajectory overview VIdeo
Summary of the APS STEM Trajectory 2013-2014 School Year
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"If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up the men to gather the wood or divide the work and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea." -- Antoine de Saint Exupéry
Summary of the APS Initiative to develop Elementary Through High School STEM Trajectory (“STEM Trajectory Initiative”) between Carlos Rey Elementary School (CRES), West Mesa High School (WMHS), Valley High School (VHS) and Sandia High School (SHS), has made important and well-documented headway in its first year of implementation during the 2013-2014 school year. The focus of the STEM Trajectory Initiative is to work within our feeder schools to break the cycle of low test scores and high truancy by creating a culture, focused on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), where students will be able to work in a 21st century world, or be prepared to enter college without STEM remediation. 
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First Year Implementation of STEM Trajectory Initiative
Awards & Acknowledgments
| Letter of Thanks from NM Space Studeies |
Team
Alma Ripley
Alma Ripley, Director of the STEM Trajectory Initiative, presently serves as Assistant Principal at Chaparral Elementary School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her professional career spans over 30 years in the educational arena. Throughout her career, she has built a reputation of having the vision to align lessons to cross multiple subjects and grade levels (K-12). The length and breadth of her career has placed her into an ideal role where she leads teachers to make adjustments to their paradigm and find new ways for them to increase the academic rigor of their lessons, by using Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) experiences and applying Project Based Learning to their curricula.
Mrs. Ripley received her undergraduate degree from Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, and her Masters degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from the University of North Texas in Denton.
Mrs. Ripley sees her most important role as an “Instructional Mentor”, impacting the professional growth of teachers and students alike. Her experiences encompass public and private education in Texas and New Mexico. She has served as a Teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, Consultant, and Professional Development Trainer. Using Continuous Improvement models, she has assisted schools to achieve and maintain accreditation, and improve their standing in the district.
Alma Ripley, Director of the STEM Trajectory Initiative, presently serves as Assistant Principal at Chaparral Elementary School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her professional career spans over 30 years in the educational arena. Throughout her career, she has built a reputation of having the vision to align lessons to cross multiple subjects and grade levels (K-12). The length and breadth of her career has placed her into an ideal role where she leads teachers to make adjustments to their paradigm and find new ways for them to increase the academic rigor of their lessons, by using Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) experiences and applying Project Based Learning to their curricula.
Mrs. Ripley received her undergraduate degree from Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, and her Masters degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from the University of North Texas in Denton.
Mrs. Ripley sees her most important role as an “Instructional Mentor”, impacting the professional growth of teachers and students alike. Her experiences encompass public and private education in Texas and New Mexico. She has served as a Teacher, Assistant Principal, Principal, Consultant, and Professional Development Trainer. Using Continuous Improvement models, she has assisted schools to achieve and maintain accreditation, and improve their standing in the district.
Charles Newman
Charles (Chuck) Newman, KG5BFM and Master Sergeant, (USAF) Ret., is an Aerospace Science Instructor at Valley High School. Before his current position as a Level 3, Language Arts Teacher and JROTC instructor, Charles completed 22 years as an Avionics Technician and a Product Improvement Manager on various fighter aircraft. He was also TV and radio reporter and producer of short documentaries, and ran a successful photography company. As a teacher and a member of the New Mexico Space Studies (NMSS) group, Chuck coordinates student experiments and launch planning activities with JROTC program and the school science departments.
Why Chuck Supports STEM?
Students that get involved with the STEM initiative become part of a journey into near-space, learning science in a way that sticks with them. The process demystifies science, making it attractive to students that might not have considered science or engineering as a career. The APS and NMSS partnership brings students in contact with engineers and enthusiasts, creating a very rich learning environment.
Charles (Chuck) Newman, KG5BFM and Master Sergeant, (USAF) Ret., is an Aerospace Science Instructor at Valley High School. Before his current position as a Level 3, Language Arts Teacher and JROTC instructor, Charles completed 22 years as an Avionics Technician and a Product Improvement Manager on various fighter aircraft. He was also TV and radio reporter and producer of short documentaries, and ran a successful photography company. As a teacher and a member of the New Mexico Space Studies (NMSS) group, Chuck coordinates student experiments and launch planning activities with JROTC program and the school science departments.
Why Chuck Supports STEM?
Students that get involved with the STEM initiative become part of a journey into near-space, learning science in a way that sticks with them. The process demystifies science, making it attractive to students that might not have considered science or engineering as a career. The APS and NMSS partnership brings students in contact with engineers and enthusiasts, creating a very rich learning environment.
Scott Stevenson
Scott Jae Stevenson KC5VVB is an Estimator and Project Manager for a local contractor specializing in liquid fuels installation and service. An active Radio “Ham” and private pilot, Scott is Program Director and a founding member of New Mexico Space Studies. As Program Director Scott guides the policies and goals of NMSS and regularly acts as Flight Director on NMSS sponsored launches.
Why Scott Supports STEM?
The APS STEM Initiative is a hand in glove fit for New Mexico Space Studies. Students are directly inspired by both the spectacle of the launch, and the challenge of measuring and interacting with the extreme environment of the stratosphere. NMSS goal of providing educators access to near space allows instructors to introduce students to a broad range of physical sciences. NMSS is proud to be a Facilitator of STEM.
Scott Jae Stevenson KC5VVB is an Estimator and Project Manager for a local contractor specializing in liquid fuels installation and service. An active Radio “Ham” and private pilot, Scott is Program Director and a founding member of New Mexico Space Studies. As Program Director Scott guides the policies and goals of NMSS and regularly acts as Flight Director on NMSS sponsored launches.
Why Scott Supports STEM?
The APS STEM Initiative is a hand in glove fit for New Mexico Space Studies. Students are directly inspired by both the spectacle of the launch, and the challenge of measuring and interacting with the extreme environment of the stratosphere. NMSS goal of providing educators access to near space allows instructors to introduce students to a broad range of physical sciences. NMSS is proud to be a Facilitator of STEM.