Advanced STEM Applications

This program of study is uniquely structured to offer students an overview of STEM fields, occupations, and applications in the first year, followed by more specialized study of the scientific inquiry or engineering design process in subsequent years, culminating in a portfolio and internship experience. Upon completion of this POS, students will be prepared to pursue advanced study in the STEM field of their choice at a variety of postsecondary institutions.

National Career Cluster Alignment

The Advanced STEM Applications Pathway is a part of the STEM career cluster. The Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Cluster involves planning, managing, and executing research, analysis, and technical services. This cluster includes laboratory testing, and research and development in the physical sciences, engineering, and math.

Pathway Courses

Level 1 Course: STEM I: Foundations

STEM I: Foundations is a foundational course in the STEM cluster for students interested in learning more about careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. This course covers basic skills required for STEM fields of study.
Aligned Industry Credential: OSHA 10 General Industry. The OSHA 10-Hour General Industry certification allows students to increase their value as entry-level workers by demonstrating mastery of the recognition, avoidance, abatement, and prevention of safety and health hazards in the general industry workplace. The program also provides information regarding workers' rights and employer responsibilities. OSHA training and certification ensures that workers are more knowledgeable about workplace hazards and their rights.

Level 2 Course: STEM II: Applications

STEM II: Applications is a project-based learning experience for students who wish to further explore the dynamic range of STEM fields introduced in STEM I: Foundation. Building on the content and critical thinking frameworks of STEM I, this course asks students to apply the scientific inquiry and engineering design processes to a course-long project selected by the instructor with the help of student input. Instructors design a project in one of two broad pathways (traditional sciences or engineering) that reflects the interest of the class as a whole; the students then apply the steps of the scientific inquiry or the engineering design process throughout the course to ask questions, test hypotheses, model solutions, and communicate results.

Aligned Industry Credential: Autodesk Inventor Certified User. The Autodesk Certified User - Inventor certification measures users' knowledge and technical skills for the Inventor product, which provides a comprehensive set of design tools for producing, validating, and documenting complete digital prototypes.

Level 3 Course: STEM III: STEM in Context

STEM III: STEM in Context is an applied course in the STEM career cluster which allows students to work in groups to solve a problem or answer a scientific question drawn from real-world scenarios within their schools or communities. This course builds on STEM I: Foundation and STEM II: Applications by applying scientific and engineering knowledge and skills to a team project.
Aligned Industry Credential: Autodesk Inventor Certified User. The Autodesk Certified User - Inventor certification measures users' knowledge and technical skills for the Inventor product, which provides a comprehensive set of design tools for producing, validating, and documenting complete digital prototypes.

Dual Credit and/or Dual Enrollment Opportunity in this Pathway

Credit Type: Dual Credit
Institution: NSCC - Nashville State Community College
Dual Credit- Credit by assessment. Students are enrolled in a high school course that is identified as a match with a post-secondary course. Students complete a college assessment at the end of the course to prove mastery of content. If the student passes the test, the student can use the college credit at that institution or request a transcript to use at a different institution.

Affiliated Career and Technical Student Organization: SkillsUSA
SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce. SkillsUSA improves the quality of our nation’s future skilled workforce through the development of Framework skills that include personal, workplace and technical skills grounded in academics.

Maplewood High School

Academy of Health Science & STEM