Leaders in STEM

Leaders in STEM2019-01-30T12:38:48-05:00

BRHS & Project Lead the Way

Brother Rice has partnered with Project Lead the Way (PLTW), a non-profit organization that provides a transformative learning experience for students and teachers across the U.S. Our champion Robotics Club and opportunities for higher education scholarships mark us as leaders in STEM.

Course Descriptions

Introduction to Engineering Design (PLTW 881)

Students dig deep into the engineering design process, applying math, science, and engineering standards to hands-on projects. They work both individually and in teams to design solutions to a variety of problems using 3-D modeling software, and an engineering notebook to document their work. (pltw.org)

Principles of Engineering

Through problems that engage and challenge, students explore a broad range of engineering topics, including mechanisms, the strength of structures and materials, and automation. Students develop skills in problem-solving, research, and design while learning strategies for design process documentation, collaboration, and presentation. (pltw.org)

Aerospace Engineering

This course propels students’ learning in the fundamentals of atmospheric and space flight. As they explore the physics of flight, students bring the concepts to life by designing an airfoil, propulsion system, and rockets. They learn basic orbital mechanics using industry-standard software. They also explore robot systems through projects such as remotely operated vehicles. (pltw.org)

Notable STEM Course offerings

  • AP Biology (824)
  • AP Chemistry (835)
  • Physics H (843) *Dual College Credit with St. Mary’s College Winona, MN
  • IT Essentials (248)
  • Code HS (266)
  • AP Calculus A/B (244)
  • AP Calculus B/C (245)
  • Introduction to Engineering Design (PLTW 881)
  • Principles of Engineering (PLTW 882)
  • Aerospace Engineering (PLTW 883)
  • Business Entrepreneurship (954)

Robotics Club

  • Winner of the Shedd Midwest Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Regional Championship 3 years in a row!

  • Top 10 overall in 2018 MATE International Underwater Robotics Competition out of 400 teams from 20 different countries worldwide.

  • Qualified for the MATE International Competition 3 years running.

  • Underwater Robotics Partnership with Shedd Aquarium

  • Helping Hands Project – An advocacy program dedicated to creating prosthetic devices for children in need.

  • NEW! VEX Robotics Competition (VRC) VEX Competitions, presented by the Robotics Education & Competition Foundation, tasks student teams with designing and building a robot to play against other teams in a game-based engineering challenge.

  • Aquarius Project – Students in the Robotics Club are working with the Shedd Aquarium Field Museum, and Adler Planetarium to search for meteorite fragments in the depths of Lake Michigan.

STEM Diploma

brhs-stem-page

Brother Rice now offers a STEM diploma for students who achieve the following requirements; students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 after the 7th semester.

  • 3 credits in Engineering (PLTW)

  • 4 credits Science

  • 4 credits Math

  • 4 credits English

  • 3 credits Social Studies

  • 4 credits Theology

  • 2 credits Physical Ed/Microsoft Office

  • 4 credits World Language or 2 credits World Language and 1 credit in Computer Science (IT Essentials, Web Design or Coding)

  • Active participation that meets the club requires in at least one service organization: Edmund Rice Camp, Helping Hands, Advocacy Club, Student Council or National Honors Society.