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Fairmont Preparatory Academy Celebrates Launch of Engineering Magnet With Math/Science Recognition From College Board

Posted on: Wednesday, 28 October 2009, 19:43 CDT

ANAHEIM, Calif., Oct. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Fairmont Preparatory Academy launched its Engineering Magnet this fall, a highly advanced program that allows high school students to build a strong foundation in math and science while benefiting from a cutting-edge engineering lab, a dedicated college/academic counselor, university-level courses and hands-on opportunities such as summer internships and study trips. The Engineering Magnet was developed to further the education and career goals of Fairmont students who are exceptionally gifted in math and science--areas where Fairmont's program excels. Fairmont Preparatory Academy was recently recognized by the College Board for "excellence in teaching AP math and science."

The Engineering Magnet curriculum, a project three years in the making, is comprised of classes rooted in statistics, dynamics, thermodynamics and physics, among other branches of math and science. Such an advanced and rigorous course of study was created with the overall objective of facilitating a pathway for Fairmont students to the top engineering colleges of their choice, according to Josephus Dossen, chair of the Engineering Magnet Program at Fairmont Prep.

"Our goal is to provide students with a 21st century, state-of-the-art engineering experience at the high school level," he said. "Early entrance into this program adds more relevant and substantive coursework and experience to their resumes, so that their portfolios are unparalleled when the time comes to apply to top colleges."

Dossen and his colleagues at Fairmont Prep developed the program by conducting a cross-analysis of the various engineering disciplines offered by many of the premiere engineering departments nationwide, including those at the University of California, Berkeley, California Institute of Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Columbia University. The curriculum introduces Fairmont students to the wide-ranging field of engineering by focusing on its three basic disciplines, mechanical engineering, electronics and electrical engineering, and civil engineering, just as many of the prestigious universities do.

Dossen said he was inspired to create the Engineering Magnet after witnessing several reticent students in an AP Physics class become vocal and engaged as they made the connection between scientific theories and their real-world applications. At the time, he was introducing the class to Michael Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction, using a varying magnetic field to produce electric current, an exercise the students found to be fascinating. From then on, the students wanted to know the design and construction of every device that was used in the course, he recalled.

"At its core, this is what engineering is all about," Dossen said. "Being a discipline that is intimately involved with the creative application of scientific principles to design and develop machines, structures, apparatus or manufacturing processes, I felt it was my calling as a teacher to respond to my students' desire to know more."

Students in the Engineering Magnet Program at Fairmont Prep will engage in interactive, hands-on projects and lessons--like learning how to model, design and build robots, solar cars, automated control systems and more--in an engineering lab equipped with the latest technology. Upon graduation, these students could earn up to 22 transferable credits in math alone, or have approximately one to two semesters of college already completed.

"Fairmont's Engineering Magnet is the only program of its kind that I know of," Dossen said. "It's a thrill to imagine what these young people are capable of doing when given the knowledge and support they need."

With the publishing of the "Nation's Report Card" this fall, California and the US has drawn criticism over the performance of students in math--a core subject key to supporting a strong work force and resilient overall economy. Fairmont's record of strength in math goes back to the organization's founding in 1953, when founder Ken Holt discovered that the public school system was failing students by not preparing them adequately in subjects like math, science and reading.

Fairmont students at all grades consistently perform above state and national standards in math, driven in part by a proprietary, advanced curriculum; consistent analysis of test scores and student outcomes; and opportunities for individualized learning through computer-based Accelerated Math and Fairmont's ASSIST program.

Recently, Fairmont Preparatory Academy's math and science program received praise from the College Board in a letter stating that Fairmont Prep, "has one of the highest student success rates in [the] state in AP math, science and technology subjects." The Prep has been recognized repeatedly for the achievement of students in math and science AP courses. Last year, Prep Master Teacher Sam Calavitta was one of only 50 teachers nationwide to receive the Siemens Award for Advanced Placement for Teachers based in part upon the performance of his students on AP Calculus exams.

About Fairmont

With six campuses in the Orange County area, Fairmont Private Schools is the oldest and largest family of private schools in Southern California. Starting in preschool and continuing through high school graduation, Fairmont prepares students to succeed in colleges of quality and challenges them to become exemplary citizens of a global society. For more information, please visit www.fairmontschools.com.

SOURCE Fairmont Private Schools

Source: PR Newswire

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