STEM Program

Advanced Function & Modeling is a junior/senior level class. Course includes analyzing data, applying probability concepts and using functions to model and solve problems. By the conclusion of AFM, students will be expected to express data using graphical, algebraic, numerical and other representations, thereby building fluency in mathematical languages.

Since creation, humans have been fascinated with the stars, planets, and the universe that surrounds us. This course introduces students to the study of astronomy as well as how our universe reflects God’s glory. Topics include the history and development of astronomy, basic scientific laws of motion and gravity, and the concepts of modern astronomy. Students also examine the life of stars, the properties of planets, and the exploration of space. This elective is more academically based with a limited workload required outside of class.

Students will develop their God-given creative and innovative talents in conjunction with critical thinking and logical-analytical processing by engaging in various STEM projects. Students engage in Scratch coding lessons in the instructor’s formal online development studio hosted by MIT.edu. Students engage robotics using Arduino kits to complete a variety of projects. Students design and construct the robotic platform, then write Arduino code to send commands to and interact with their design. All activities are approached through a Christian perspective on Ethical Usage of Technology.

Scientific methods are radically changing the landscape of our criminal justice system. Increasingly, law enforcement and legal prosecution are reliant upon often complex and detailed scientific analysis of forensic evidence. This course is intended to provide an introduction to understanding the science behind crime detection. Topics included are blood analysis, organic and inorganic evidence analysis, fingerprints, hair analysis, DNA, drug chemistry, forensic medicine, forensic anthropology, toxicology, fiber comparisons, soil comparisons, fire and engineering investigations, and more.

Seventy percent of the surface of Earth is covered by ocean, which includes 97% of one of our most precious resources-water. Forty percent of the human population lives within 100km of the coast yet we know more about the moon than the sea. This one semester elective course focuses on oceanography which is all the chemical and physical features of the oceans that in turn affect biological features of the ocean. We also look at the various marine organisms and ecosystems as well as explore our environmental impacts on the ocean. This course involves several small projects, a dissection and other lab investigations. Gen. 1: 21 ” So God created the great sea creatures and every living creature that moves …and God saw that it was good.”

Are you a creative, critical-thinker? Do you enjoy finding solutions to problems? Are you interested in technology and exploring science? If so, you might enjoy taking a STEM Elective class. STEM, or STEAM, will incorporate hands-on engineering design challenges while exploring the latest in various fields of science. If you are looking for a way to be creative and learn about science and engineering, this program is for you!

“But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you…In his hand is the life of everything and breath of all mankind” Job 12:7ff. God’s creation teaches how he is related to all of life.

The GCS Elementary STEM program is based on principles of science, technology, engineering, and math. Students develop their God-given creative and innovative talents through various STEM lab projects. Our focus is to offer learning opportunities that foster critical thinking, logical-analytical processing, and problem solving skills. We use a hands-on approach which requires students to utilize 21st Century skills. The program offers new learning avenues in fun ways for students, while building a foundation to support STEM education in middle and high school.