Anne Arundel County schools recently received a $230,000 grant to prepare students for careers by bolstering math- and science-related programs.
“The notion is that students going into science and math careers will need 21st-century problem-solving skills but in the context of global issues,” said Maureen McMahon, the school system?s director of advanced studies and programs.
The state Department of Education has divided $2 million among school systems to support STEM ? science, technology, engineering and mathematics ? programs.
Anne Arundel school officials plan to use the funding to implement a STEM magnet high school by fall 2008, which will be housed in one of the county schools.
One hundred freshman countywide would be accepted into the magnet program, and in four years, the program would be phased into other grades, McMahon said.
“It will be a place of excellence for students interested in engaging in STEM careers,” she said.
The program also could establish partnerships with businesses, which would provide students with internships in math and science careers.
A growing emphasis has been placed on STEM careers because of the federal Base Realignment and Closure initiative, which will bring three security organizations to Fort Meade ? the Defense Information Systems Agency, Armed Forces Media agencies and Adjudication agencies.
“The bottom line is that these organization under the BRAC initiative are going to need highly trained employees,” said Kent Mesner, director of the Howard County BRAC office.
