St Mark is a SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY ACADEMY

As a school with a science and technology focus, we strive to provide students with opportunities to experience these subjects through their schooling and in the community.

What  opportunities? Read on.

Science Olympics

On Tuesday, September 18, grade 7 students  participated in a Science Olympics day. They were put into teams and challenged to complete 6 different science challenges. We are also planning a second Science Olympics day for January. This activity is provided in partnership with the U of A Department of Education.

St. Mark Robotics Team

This group of students in grades 7 through 9 meet Monday and Wednesday afternoons in preparation of participating in the First Lego League robotics competition which is scheduled to take place at NAIT in Edmonton on Saturday, January 26th, 2008. The mission this year, “Alternative Energy Season,” focuses on green energy.

St. Mark’s 4th Annual Science Fair

Students in grade 7 take an option course, SciTech Exploration, in which they are asked to select a science or technology topic to research. The final goal is to create a science fair project which they enter into the school science fair held in March. In past years, a number of projects have been selected to enter the Edmonton Regional Science Fair held in April at the NAIT main campus. Grade 8 and 9 students are also encouraged and assisted should they choose to enter a project into the St. Mark Science Fair.

St. Mark Rocketry Club

Students in grades 7-9, as well as grade 6 students from our feeder schools are invited to join this Thursday after school group in designing and building their own rockets. In partnership with the Telus World of Science, the club spends six afternoons constructing their rockets and then spends an afternoon over at the Telus World of Science launching their creations. The cost of this club has been subsidized by the St. Mark Parent Council in past years.

CIPS Women in IT Conference

This one day conference is held at the University of Alberta and provides an opportunity for grade 9 girls to be exposed to the possibilities in Science and Technology. For the past few years, a small group of students have been selected to attend this conference.

Guest Speakers/Presentations

Dr. Gelmini, chair of the chemistry department at Grant MacEwan College, showed us how science is a part of our everyday lives. Constable Don Groenenboom, a member of the Edmonton Police Services CSI unit, showed us how we use science to get answers. We are looking to provide some similar opportunities again this year for our students.

Fieldtrips

Depending upon student interest, additional science fieldtrips will be explored to expose students to science and technology in our community. Last year a group of students spent a day at the Strathcona Raptor Shelter learning about the rehabilitation of birds of prey.

Computer Labs

St. Mark School also has two fully equipped computer labs which are utilized by teachers in various subject areas to help deliver curriculum. The use of LCD projectors and the internet are excellent tools used in presenting the new Social 7 and 8 programs. Several classrooms also have computer stations set up in order to provide access to this technology as needed.

If you have any questions about our program, please feel free to contact Mr. P. Meurs at the school, 455-1684

So what "Science and Technology Academy" mean?

• It means teaching the regular Science Curriculum
• It means expanding horizons with Science Fairs
• It means more focus in Science Challenges
• It means having dedicated Science & Technology Partnerships
• It means a chance to learn neat stuff like Robotics & Rocketry

At St. Mark, students are expected to perform to the highest of standards.  In addition to mastering the curriculum, students spend extra time developing skills that we at St. Mark feel deserve extra emphasis.  Students will focus on specific developmental skills, such as solving and evaluating conditions.  We hope that our program will allow students to develop their scientific potential to the fullest.  Furthermore, we strive to give students the skills necessary to maximize their success in the future.