Montverde Academy News & Sports

Seniors Present STEM Projects

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) is a Montverde Academy senior seminar and first semester course meeting once a week with MVA science department teachers to help advance students' knowledge of science, math-related study, and of SAC (Subject Area Concentration) curriculum requirements. Throughout January, MVA students presented their research projects associated with computer science and graphics, architecture, economics, and engineering with extraordinary competency. Three MVA seniors students, Stephanie Zhang, Harry Wang and Christopher Yi, validated their research findings through demonstrations they shared with fellow students and MVA science faculty.

Matthew L. Parets, MVA Technology Teacher, detailed the STEM program process for Montverde.net, "each student was tasked with first proposing a hypothesis, then writing a literature review summarizing their research... then they proposed an experiment that would prove or disprove their hypothesis – with each of the students writing a full scientific paper detailing their research projects, its goals, and conclusions... there are approximately twenty students enrolled in the STEM program and the three senior participants." Stephanie Zhang's work, "The Differences in Value of Attending Public Universities and Private Universities," focused on Stephanie sending a questionnaire to students from six different universities and after considering variables that contributed to career earning potential following graduation (*and when student study time and tuition costs were compared) she discovered measurable benefits to attending a private university as opposed to a public university. Harry Wang's work investigated "Research on Demand Based Industry Classifications" and his hypothesis proposed how business organizations could resolve problems related to streamlining procurement, sales, and shipping by using an organizational demand-based classification system. Christopher Yi conducted and experiment entitled "The Effects of Sodas' Acidity and Sugar Concentration on Teeth Erosion." His hypothesis and conclusions revealed that acid concentrations in sodas (not sugar content) are the main contributors to tooth decay. Together, these experimental studies and project presentations were excellent and a wonderful experience for all who participated.

Mr. Parets affirmed his satisfaction with how the STEM projects progressed, "The STEM program requires students to complete certain required course work, attend extracurricular activities throughout their tenure at Montverde, and to complete a senior seminar. The focus of the senior seminar is original research and experimentation culminating in a formal research paper and the presentation of the research to the MVA student body and faculty. Stephanie, Harry, and Chris all did a fantastic job with their research, paper, and presentations. I couldn't be more proud."