A new STEM Academy for Herndon High School students starts on July 7.
After growing more concerned with Herndon High School’s dropout rate, Gustavo Pacheto decided he was going to help change it.
The Herndon Outreach and Latin American Impact MBC Director and his son decided to start a STEM Academy for students this summer to help them find a passion in their education.
“We have been in contact with teachers from the Herndon area high schools and middle schools to recommend students that they feel could benefit the program,” he said.
The classes are open to any students who will be attending Herndon High School in the fall.
The academy will run 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. from July 7 through July 31 and is free for all students to participate. Lunch will be provided daily by Herndon Neighborhood Resource Center.
During most days, students will be taught science and math by students who attend colleges like Princeton University, University of Chicago and Northwestern University. Classes will range from biology and pre-algebra to concepts science and calculus.
Thursdays will be designated as activity days.
“Some examples include having a day where the instructors speak about their colleges, the college application process and financial aid,” Pacheto said. “ Another day, we will teach the students basic programming skills. Another day, we will have the students tour labs at the National Institutes of Health.”
George Mason University Biology Term Assistant Professor Reid Schwebach said STEM courses are important for students still in their teenage years - and is especially important for at-risk students.
“It was notably found with minority students that the dropout rates were cut in half in the University of Michigan [Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program],” he said.
He said that even when students become biology students to go to medical school, they learn good speaking skills and learn to think critically, which are important traits for any job. That way, if they decide they do not want to pursue becoming a medical doctor, they have the skills to pursue other in-demand jobs in health care.
“STEM can be a real game changer for these students,” he said.
For more information about the program, contact Gustavo Pacheto at latinamgp@gmail.com